The Impact Of Thailand-Cambodia Conflict On Human Insecurity In Ubon Ratchathani-Preah Vihear Province In 2025

Ratna Intan Putri; Muhammad Farhan Aria Budiono; Diah Ayu Wulandari

doi:10.55227/ijhess.v6i2.2556

Authors

Ratna Intan Putri International Relations Department, Faculty of Social, Cultural, and Political Sciences, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Muhammad Farhan Aria Budiono International Relations Department, Faculty of Social, Cultural, and Political Sciences, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Diah Ayu Wulandari International Relations Department, Faculty of Social, Cultural, and Political Sciences, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v6i2.2556

Abstract

The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict reoccurred in Ubon Ratchathani Province and Preah Vihear Province in 2025, beginning with small clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers before escalating into full conflict by mid-2025. This research aims to identify the impacts of the conflict using the Human Insecurity framework developed by Werthes, Heaven, and Vollhals, examining six dimensions: economic, environmental, food, health, individual/group, and political insecurity. The study employs a descriptive qualitative method using secondary data and case studies. The results show that economic insecurity is reflected in slowed GDP growth, disrupted cross-border trade, and declining tourism revenue in both provinces. Environmental insecurity is evident in refugees' limited access to clean water and sanitation in evacuation camps. Food insecurity is manifested in the form of disrupted food supply chains at the borders, worsening malnutrition and stunting in children in Thailand, and exacerbating acute malnutrition in children in Cambodia. Health insecurity is marked by outbreaks of infectious diseases, evidenced by the risk of cholera in Ubon Ratchathani and a sharp increase in measles cases in Preah Vihear. Individual/community insecurity is shown through civilian and military casualties, landmine incidents, and mass displacement exceeding hundreds of thousands of people. Political insecurity emerges through press freedom violations, including journalist arrests and treason charges in Cambodia, and military pressure on media in Thailand.

References

Alam, M. D., Rahmawati, A. W., Balqis, I., & Subandi, Y. (2026). Militerisasi Perbatasan dan Dampaknya Terhadap Stabilitas Kawasan: Studi Kasus Thailand - Kamboja. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin.

Amnesty International. (2025, Desember 8). Cambodia/Thailand: Both sides must prevent further risk to civilians from renewed hostilities. Diambil kembali dari Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/12/cambodia-thailand-both-sides-must-prevent-further-risk-to-civilians-from-renewed-hostilities/

Amnesty International. (2026). THE STATE OF THE WORLD'S HUMAN RIGHTS. London: Amnesty International Ltd.

Board, J., & Vantha, P. (2025, September 12). Eksodus besar pekerja Kamboja dari Thailand membuat kedua negara sakit kepala. Diambil kembali dari CNA Asia: https://www.cna.id/asia/eksodus-pekerja-migran-konflik-kamboja-thailand-37976

Borneo Tribun. (2025, Juli 26). Situasi Konflik Militer Thailand-Kamboja Memanas di Perbatasan: Ribuan Warga Dievakuasi, Tentara Thailand Serukan Perdamaian. Diambil kembali dari Borneo Tribun: https://www.borneotribun.com/2025/07/situasi-konflik-militer-thailand.html

Carruthers, M. (2025, September 2). WHO Warns of Severe Health Risks for Those Displaced Border Clashes. Diambil kembali dari Kiripost: https://kiripost.com/stories/who-warns-of-severe-health-risks-for-those-displaced-border-clashes

Chaeng, N. (2026, April 14). UN warns displacement could trigger economic crash in Thai-Cambodia border communities. Diambil kembali dari Asian News Network: https://asianews.network/un-warns-displacement-remittance-losses-could-trigger-economic-crash-in-thai-cambodia-border-communities/

Cheang, S. (2026, Februari 20). 2 Cambodian journalists appeal treason convictions over a photo from Thai border clash. Diambil kembali dari AP News: https://apnews.com/article/cambodia-media-landmines-border-photo-221fdc9bddec96aae686ec65a875af1c

Ciorciari, J. D. (2025, Desember). Thailand and Cambodia: The Battle for Preah Vihear. Diambil kembali dari Stanford University: https://spice.fsi.stanford.edu/docs/thailand_and_cambodia_the_battle_for_preah_vihear

CNN World. (2025, Desember 27). Thailand and Cambodia sign truce to halt fierce border conflict. Diambil kembali dari CNN World: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/27/asia/thailand-cambodia-ceasefire-fighting-intl-hnk

Comptroller-General's Department Thailand. (2025). รายงานประมาณการเศรษฐกิจจังหวัดอุบลราชธานี ปี 2568. Ubon Ratchathani: Comptroller-General's Department Thailand.

Connor, J. O. (2025, Agustus 7). No More Surprises or Shocks. Thai Foreign Tourism Players Warn of a Bad Yeaar With Arrivals Down 6.56%. Diambil kembali dari Thai Examiner: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/08/07/no-more-surprises-or-shocks-thai-foreign-tourism-players-warn-of-a-bad-year-with-arrivals-down-6-56/

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design : Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. USA: SAGE Publication.

CTN News. (2026, Januari 6). Thailand’s Health Authorities Caution Over Measles Outbreak. Diambil kembali dari CTN News: https://www.chiangraitimes.com/health/thailand-measles-outbreak/

Humanitarian Response Forum. (2026, Januari 17). Humanitarian Response Forum (HRF) - Situation Report 15: Cambodia-Thailand Border Situation (16th January 2026). Diambil kembali dari Relief: https://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/humanitarian-response-forum-hrf-situation-report-15-cambodia-thailand-border-situation-16th-january-2026

Hunter, M. (2025). The 2025 Thai-Cambodian Conflict Viewed Through Glasl’s Nine-Stage Conflict Escalation Model. Conflict and Peace Studies Journal, 21-26.

Khaosod English. (2025, Agustus 6). THAI TOURISM LOSES $92M MONTHLY AMID CAMBODIA BORDER CONFLICT. Diambil kembali dari Khaosod English: https://www.khaosodenglish.com/tourism/2025/08/06/thai-tourism-loses-92m-monthly-amid-cambodia-border-conflict/

Khmer Times. (2025, Desember 18). 18 civilians dead, 78 injured, almost half a million refugees, due to Thailand’s continued aggression. Diambil kembali dari Khmer Times: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501810742/18-civilians-dead-78-injured-almost-half-a-million-refugees-due-to-thailands-continued-aggression/

Khmer Times. (2025, Juli 26). 54 Civilians Evacuated from Preah Vihear Temple, 12 Still Trapped. Diambil kembali dari Khmer Times: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501725272/breaking-54-civilians-evacuated-from-preah-vihear-temple-12-still-trapped/

Kiripost. (2025, April 9). Border conflict continues to impact Preah Vihear businesses, with $1.6M tourism revenue lost annually. Diambil kembali dari Kiripost: https://kiripost.com//stories/border-conflict-continues-to-impact-preah-vihear-businesses-with-16m-tourism-revenue-lost-annually

Krishnan, S. I. (2025, September 1). Measles Outbreak Adds to Health and Food Struggles of Cambodia’s Displaced. Diambil kembali dari Cambodianess: https://cambodianess.com/article/measles-outbreak-adds-to-health-and-food-struggles-of-cambodias-displaced

Ma, B., & Xu, Z. (2025, Desember 16). Mediation wih Chinese charactetistics in the 2025 Thailand - Cmbodia border crisis. Diambil kembali dari East Asia Forum: https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/12/16/mediation-with-chinese-characteristics-in-the-2025-thailand-cambodia-border-crisis/

Nord, M., Lundstedt, M., & Lindb, S. I. (2024). MEDIA FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, AND SECURITY. OSCE The Representative on Freedom of The Media, 5-12.

Ousa, R. (2026, Februari 18). PHNOM PENH – Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once attracted an influx of tourists to northern Cambodia. Diambil kembali dari Cambodianess: https://cambodianess.com/article/thai-attacks-cast-cloud-over-preah-vihear-temple-tours

Public Relations Department. (2025, Juli 25). Over 100,000 Thais Evacuated Amid Thai-Cambodian Border Unrest. Diambil kembali dari Public Relations Department: https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/3243/iid/409115

Ravindran, S. (2025, Agustus 20). Business associations urged to help Thailand-returned migrant workers. Diambil kembali dari Khmer Times: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501742368/business-associations-urged-to-help-thailand-returned-migrant-workers/

Raymond, R. w., Chachavalpongpun, P., Chambers, P., Bong, C., Suriyasenee, A., & Yaacob, A. B. (2026, April 29). ASEAN’s Unwanted Conflict: Thailand-Cambodia Border Hostilities in 2025. Diambil kembali dari The National Bureau of Asian Research: https://www.nbr.org/publication/aseans-unwanted-conflict-thailand-cambodia-border-hostilities-in-2025/

Rojanaphruk, P. (2025, 23 November). NOTES FROM A THAI JOURNALIST AMIDST ONGOING THAI-CAMBODIAN CONFLICTS. Diambil kembali dari Khaosod English: https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2025/11/23/notes-from-a-thai-journalist-amidst-ongoing-thai-cambodian-conflicts/

Shenawy, M. (2025, November 6). Rights Watchdog Says Journalists, Critics Detained in Cambodia Amid Border Clashes. Diambil kembali dari OCCRP: https://www.occrp.org/en/news/rights-watchdog-says-journalists-critics-detained-in-cambodia-amid-border-clashes

Sukmadinata, N. S. (2020). Metode Penelitian Pendidikan. Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya.

Teekah, E. (2026, Maret 13). Thailand-Cambodia Conflict. Diambil kembali dari Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/event/Thailand-Cambodia-Conflict

Tempo. (2025, Juli 26). Kronologi Konflik antara Thailand dengan Kamboja Sepanjang 2025. Diambil kembali dari Tempo: https://www.tempo.co/internasional/kronologi-konflik-antara-thailand-dengan-kamboja-sepanjang-2025-2051279

The Nation. (2025, Desember 31). From standoff to clashes: Thai-Cambodian border tensions in 2025. Diambil kembali dari The Nation: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40060540

The Nation. (2025, Mei 28). Get to know Chong Bok: Flashpoint of Thai-Cambodian clash. Diambil kembali dari The Nation: https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/asean/40050555

The Nation Thailand. (2025, Desember 9). Cambodia attacks border areas, more than 120,000 people evacuated. Diambil kembali dari The Nation Thailand: https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/asean/40059469

The Nation Thailand. (2025, Agustus 15). Government, private sector push to replace workforce amid Cambodian worker exodus. Diambil kembali dari The Nation Thailand: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40054073

The Nation Thailand. (2025, Maret 8). Rayong tops Thailand’s highest per capita gross regional product rankings. Diambil kembali dari The Nation Thailand: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40047159

The Nation Thailand. (2025, Agustus 1). Thai Border Tourism Industry Faces Near-Collapse as Cambodia Conflict Triggers Mass Cancellations. Diambil kembali dari The Nation Thailand: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/tourism/40053454

The Nation Thailand. (2025, Agustus 4). Thai Industries Face Sudden Labour Crisis Amidst Cambodian Border Tensions. Diambil kembali dari The Nation Thailand: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40053570

The Nation Thailand. (2025, Agustus 15). Thailand-Cambodia rift deepens, dragging trade into prolonged slump. Diambil kembali dari The Nation Thailand: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40054070

Tokan, A. E., Lape, F. I., & Subandi, Y. (2026). Evaluasi Peran ASEAN Dalam Menangani Konflik antara Thailand dan. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin.

UCANews. (2025, Agustus 5). Kelompok bantuan berjuang membantu anak-anak yang terjebak dalam konflik Thailand-Kamboja. Diambil kembali dari UCANews: https://indonesia.ucanews.com/2025/08/05/kelompok-bantuan-berjuang-membantu-anak-anak-yang-terjebak-dalam-konflik-thailand-kamboja/

United Nations Cambodia. (2026, April 7). Socio-economic Impact, Assesment of Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict. Diambil kembali dari United Nations Cambodia: https://cambodia.un.org/en/313222-socio-economic-impact-assessment-cambodia%E2%80%93thailand-border-conflict

Werthes, S., Heaven, C., & Vollnhals, S. (2011). Assessing Human Insecurity Worldwide. Duisburg: INEF - Institute for Development and Peace.

World Food Programme. (2026, Februari 14). WFP Cambodia Country Brief, February 2026. Diambil kembali dari World Food Programme: https://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/wfp-cambodia-country-brief-february-2026

World Health Organization. (2025, Mei 30). A race against measles: Cambodia’s response to the outbreak. Diambil kembali dari World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/newsroom/feature-stories/item/a-race-against-measles--cambodia-s-response-to-the-outbreak

World Health Organization. (2025, Desember 18). Public Health Situation Analysis - Cambodia - Thailand border conflict. Diambil kembali dari World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/public-health-situation-analysis---cambodia---thailand-border-conflict

World Health Organization. (2025, Desember 18). Public Health Situation Analysis (PHSA). KEY HEALTH RISKS IN COMING MONTHS IN CAMBODIA, hal. 7-19.

World Health Organization. (2026, Januarii 6). Public Health Situation Analysis - Cambodia-Thailand Conflict (18 December 2025). Diambil kembali dari Reliefweb: https://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/public-health-situation-analysis-cambodia-thailand-conflict-18-december-2025

Yin, R. K. (2017). Case Study Research and Application. United Nation of America: SAGE publication.