CONFLICT AND IMPACTS BETWEEN THAILAND AND CAMBODIA: BUDDHIST MANAGEMENT APPROACHES FOR PEACE

Abstract

This academic article examines the conflict and its consequences between Thailand and Cambodia, and proposes the application of Buddhist principles in conflict management for peacebuilding. The findings indicate that the roots of the conflict lie in colonial history and the ambiguity of border demarcation, which have led to military clashes causing loss of lives and property. The impacts are multifaceted: economically, border trade, tourism, and migrant labor have been disrupted, leaving many households without income; socially and in terms of human security, vulnerable populations have been displaced, losing homes and educational opportunities; and diplomatically, the situation has created an atmosphere of distrust, undermining mutual confidence and making negotiations more difficult. Past attempts at resolution have focused mainly on military measures and interest-based diplomacy, lacking integration of cultural and religious dimensions that could reach the people more profoundly. Therefore, this article proposes Buddhist management approaches based on the Six Principles of Cordiality (saraniya-dhamma): acts of loving-kindness in body, speech, and thought; sharing of rightful possessions; adherence to moral precepts; and holding common views. These principles provide a framework to mitigate conflict, strengthen trust, and foster reconciliation. Applying such Buddhist approaches not only offers pathways to resolve the Thai–Cambodian dispute but may also serve as a model for conflict management within ASEAN, contributing to new knowledge in integrating religion into diplomacy and security for sustainable peace.