Cambodia Border Skirmishes Leave Residents in Limbo, Economic Recovery and Government Aid Crucial

Seven months after a border skirmish between Cambodia and Thailand from December 7 to 27 last year, life has yet to normalize for Cambodian borderland populations. Approximately 29,000 residents remain displaced and housed in "waiting villages" built by the Cambodian government, while thousands more suffer the economic consequences of the conflict. During the December fighting, residents reported hearing gunfire, artillery, and explosions. Those with connections fled to Siem Reap to stay with family or friends, while others remained to tend to their land, livestock, and businesses. Before the conflict, Anlong Veng served as a transit hub for Thai tourists, boasting numerous restaurants, accommodations, and popular tourist sites. This influx of visitors and transportation networks stimulated the local economy, fostering steady growth alongside its agricultural industries. Unlike many other border towns in the province that relied primarily on agriculture, Anlong Veng significantly benefited from tourism. The lack of tourism has severely impacted economic growth, with guesthouses and related services experiencing a sharp decline in visitors. Restaurants and vendors are struggling to make ends meet due to reduced customer traffic. Furthermore, the closure of the Choam-Sa’Ngam border post not only halted the flow of Thai tourists but also prevented Cambodians from accessing Thai markets for affordable goods and produce. Vendors are now forced to source goods from elsewhere, often at higher costs. The indirect conflict between the US and Iran also poses a threat, potentially raising oil prices in both Thailand and Cambodia, thereby increasing daily transportation and energy expenses for businesses. The resolution of the border conflict remains distant. Thailand has refused bilateral negotiations with Cambodia after the latter invoked compulsory conciliation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Following the precedent of the Australia-Timor Leste compulsory conciliation resolved in 2018, Cambodia must prepare for a lengthy conciliation process. While Cambodia has demonstrated resilience on the international stage, it must prioritize supporting its vulnerable communities at home. The government needs to implement economic incentives, ranging from basic food cost support to fostering local businesses, to ensure these hubs not only survive but thrive. Contingencies for future economic downturns, border skirmishes, and environmental challenges are crucial. Increased government spending in other provinces indicates an active interest in national development projects. Implementing similar investment levels in border regions through development projects and economic aid would foster stability and reduce vulnerability to future conflicts. In addition to state resources, Cambodia has received substantial international aid from the US, China, the EU, and UNICEF for humanitarian assistance to displaced communities. However, international aid provides precarious survival rather than economic revival. Job security, threatened by displacement, warrants government assistance, including direct cash aid, job creation in government-sanctioned projects, and tax breaks and loan forgiveness for small business owners in affected provinces. While military border security signals national unity and strength, a disconnect exists with Phnom Penh when citizens struggle to pay bills and provide for their families. The economic and security hardships faced in Anlong Veng are echoed, perhaps more intensely, in the border conflict centers of Banteay Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. Phnom Penh must establish resilient economic policies that support borderland hubs like Anlong Veng district town against the compounding effects of global disputes, moving beyond basic humanitarian aid and militarization to enable communities to grow even amidst destabilizing threats.