By Dr. Thourn Sinan – Spiritual & Tourism Professional
(Written in the spirit of human citizenship)
I write these words not only as a Cambodian, but as a human being — a citizen of the world — appealing to the conscience of leaders, the media, and people everywhere.
For more than five centuries, Cambodia has lived in the shadows of invasion, interference, and war. We have been attacked, divided, colonised, and in modern times, torn apart by a civil war that lasted over 50 years.
We are a people who have suffered enough. We are tired of war. We fear war. And above all, we reject war.
Cambodia has never harboured dreams of conquering our neighbours — not in our politics, not in our ambitions, not even in our imagination. All we want is to survive, to rebuild, and to give our children the peace that was denied to us.
A Small Nation Among Giants
The reality is beyond dispute: Cambodia is a small and economically struggling nation, far weaker than our neighbours Thailand and Vietnam. Militarily, the difference is vast — we cannot match their armies, their advanced equipment, their fighter jets, their naval forces, their military technology, or their defence budgets.
So ask yourself — why would Cambodia ever choose aggression toward Thailand?
A Ceasefire Betrayed
After five days of war, a ceasefire was agreed upon — witnessed and led by the United States, China, and ASEAN under Malaysia’s chairmanship. It was set to take effect at exactly 12:00 noon.
For a brief moment, Cambodia dared to hope. Our government and people celebrated, grateful for what we believed was the start of lasting peace.
But just hours later, that hope was shattered. Thai forces advanced into our territory and captured 20 Cambodian soldiers — in direct violation of the ceasefire. This was not a single provocation. It became a relentless pattern, repeated hour by hour, day by day.
Restraint Met with Aggression
Our soldiers, poorly equipped but disciplined, chose not to retaliate. We honoured the ceasefire, even when humiliated. We believed the world would see our commitment to peace.
Instead, the violations escalated. Thai forces insulted, provoked, and harassed our troops — sometimes with crude weapons like slingshots and stones, sometimes by illegally establishing camps deep inside Cambodian territory, including on sacred heritage sites.
Yet in the international narrative, Cambodia was painted as the aggressor. The truth was ignored.
A Question to the World
Is this justice?
Must a small and vulnerable nation always be presumed guilty?
Is morality now dictated only by military might?
Do powerful nations stand idle — or even profit — from disputes between smaller countries?
We believed in President Donald Trump of the United States. We believe in the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron of France. We believe in President Xi Jinping of China.
We are small and poor, but we are rich in culture, morality, and the kindness of our people. We have learned to smile through hardship, holding on to the hope that peace and prosperity will one day return to our pitiful nation.
Your leadership, your wisdom, and your courage can help bring us back from the edge — to restore hope, to preserve peace, and to protect the dignity of a country that has suffered for too long. Cambodia does not ask for power. We ask only for fairness, respect, and the right to live without fear of losing our land, our people, and our future.
Our Plea
We, the Cambodian people, ask the world — the media, political leaders, and global citizens — to understand our truth.
We want peace, stability, and cooperation. We want to be known for our tourism, our culture, and our friendship — not for border conflicts we never sought.
Cambodia may be small and poor, but our dignity is not for sale. Our will to live in peace is unbreakable.
