In a poignant display of unity and reverence, hundreds of Buddhist monks gathered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 8, 2025, to honor soldiers killed in recent border clashes with Thailand and to pray for lasting peace. The solemn ceremony, held at a temple near the Royal Palace, saw monks, nuns, and laypeople come together in a powerful expression of mourning and hope.

The procession began at Cambodia’s main religious school, where monks marched to the temple, chanting prayers for the souls of the fallen. Inside the temple, a board displayed photographs of over 40 uniformed men, though it remained unclear whether these represented only those killed or also included the wounded and captured. Official reports from Cambodia confirm six soldiers died in the conflict, which erupted late last month and spanned five days, displacing over 260,000 people on both sides of the border and claiming dozens of lives, including civilians.

The clashes, sparked by a land mine explosion in disputed territory that injured five Thai soldiers, marked the latest escalation in a decades-long border dispute over several contested areas along the 800-kilometer frontier. A ceasefire, effective from July 29, halted major hostilities, though both nations have reported minor violations, and the underlying territorial issues remain unresolved.

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Khem Sorn, Phnom Penh’s chief monk, emphasized the ceremony’s dual purpose: to support the Cambodian government’s peace efforts and to honor the fallen soldiers and civilians. “We only want to live side-by-side with Thailand as good neighbors, in unity and peace,” he told The Associated Press. The event also served as a call to Buddhist nations, particularly Thailand, to foster harmony.

International pressure, notably from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to delay critical trade talks, facilitated the ceasefire agreement on July 28. Talks in Malaysia on August 7 reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to the truce, though Thailand continues to hold 18 Cambodian soldiers captured after the ceasefire. Thai authorities assert they are treating the detainees in accordance with international humanitarian law, with release pending the end of “active hostilities.”

The United States and China, key mediators in the peace process, welcomed the reaffirmed ceasefire and pledged continued support for a lasting resolution. As Cambodia and Thailand navigate this fragile truce, the monks’ ceremony stands as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring hope for reconciliation.

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