Thailand’s invasion of Cambodia in 2025:

All major dictionaries define the term “invasion” generally as the act of a military force entering another country to take control of that territory (for example, the German invasion of Poland in 1939). Another definition of “invasion” describes it as a military incursion to seize, plunder, occupy, or usurp the territory of another country. Another related term, “hostile occupation,” focuses specifically on military invasions. Depending on the circumstances, although the Thai side may not want to hear its hostile occupation of Cambodian territory called an “invasion,” Thailand’s actions certainly fall within the definition above.


 The Thai government wants to prevent the media, the international community, and the Cambodian side from using the term “invasion” to describe the current occupation by its armed forces of certain areas of Cambodian territory, while the ceasefire has been in effect, because the term undermines the legitimacy of its actions, which are inconsistent with the peace process.


However, it is important to remember that during Thailand’s occupation of parts of Cambodia’s territory, the Cambodian people suffered persecution. Businesses were completely shut down, daily life was conducted under the coercion and harassment of foreign armed forces, and information about this horrific act was being covered up by the Thai government, which is attempting to covertly carry out the occupation. 

Make no mistake, this hostile occupation is also an invasion, and it is further evidence of Thailand’s ongoing and blatant violation of the peace process promoted by the United States and ASEAN.


 Chhang Youk

Director, Documentation Center of Cambodia

January 16, 2026