As the new government takes office at a time of renewed tension along the Cambodian border, international relations experts are urging coordinated policies, leadership-level engagement and a move away from confrontational measures.
Thailand should tackle the border dispute with Cambodia through cooperation, not confrontation, they said.
Panitan Wattanayagorn, an international relations scholar, said the administration of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul faces “triple challenges” that are closely interconnected.
The first concerns foreign relations and security, including the border dispute with Cambodia and trade issues with the United States.
The second involves pressing domestic economic and social concerns. The third lies within the fragile political alliance between the ruling Bhumjaithai Party and the opposition People’s Party.
Assoc Prof Panitan said that while this government’s approach may not differ much from its predecessor’s, the urgency is greater because this administration is expected to serve only a four-month term.
“The government must carefully prioritise and ensure all agencies work in sync,” he said.
On the Thai-Cambodian border issue, he emphasised the importance of coordination between the Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministries.
Cambodia, he said, has traditionally welcomed new governments in Thailand with offers of cooperation, particularly on border management.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recently sent a congratulatory letter to Mr Anutin, signalling his readiness to resolve disputes and restore relations.
“If Thailand responds positively, Cambodia will reciprocate. But if their overtures are ignored, they could adopt tougher measures, as they did with the past government,” Assoc Prof Panitan warned.
Restoring ties at the ambassadorial level, he said, would be an important first step towards easing tensions.
Assoc Prof Panitan said Cambodia has also pressed for the reopening of certain checkpoints, which have severely affected communities along the border.
Yet negotiations remain stalled at the Regional Border Committee (RBC) stage, with little progress towards the Joint Border Committee (JBC) stage.
Assoc Prof Panitan suggested the new Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow explore humanitarian measures to open dialogue, such as establishing a corridor at Ban Nong Chan for displaced Cambodians, drawing on his earlier experience with Myanmar.
However, he cautioned that any such initiative would need the backing of the Defence Ministry to avoid contradictory signals.
“If the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Defence Ministry are not aligned, the military may tighten defensive measures, which Cambodia could portray as insincerity,” he said.
He also urged Mr Anutin to personally lead talks with Hun Manet, noting that Cambodia values leadership-level engagement.
Delegating the issue solely to ministers, he said, risks weakening negotiations.
An official visit to Phnom Penh, he noted, could demonstrate Thailand’s goodwill and readiness for bilateral talks.
Prapee Apichatsakol, a law lecturer at Srinakharinwirot University and vice president of the American Studies Association in Thailand, said rebuilding state-to-state ties must be accompanied by restoring trust between the citizens of both sides.
Relations between people, she said, have been damaged by disinformation and incitement on social media.
“The new government should move forward from the conflict and seek areas of cooperation that bring mutual benefits while maintaining security along the border,” she said.
Border fence
Both experts also expressed concern over Thailand’s plan to build a border fence to prevent encroachment from Cambodia.
Asst Prof Prapee compared it to the US-Mexico border wall, which deepened mistrust between the two countries. “A fence symbolises separation. It suggests we cannot live together and risks long-term damage to bilateral relations,” she said. While acknowledging that a fence might provide clearer boundaries and bolster security, she questioned its cost and social impact. She recommended dialogue through mechanisms such as the RBC, General Border Committee and JBC, or even under the Asean framework. A trusted intermediary, she added, could help guide negotiations and ensure agreements are clearly implemented.
Meanwhile, Assoc Prof Panitan agreed Thailand should tone down the fence plan, even if sovereignty concerns remain. As an alternative, he proposed “smart surveillance” systems, including drone patrols, which would strengthen security without provoking resentment from Cambodia. “We can create an invisible fence through technology that avoids hard feelings,” he said.