The Thai–Cambodian Border in International Relations: Constructing a Third Space in Geopolitics

Thai–Cambodian border relations remain shaped by rigid, state-centric assumptions that frame borders as fixed, elite-controlled spaces—an approach that fuels recurring tensions, including the Preah Vihear dispute and the 2025 clashes. A critical geopolitical lens reveals how these territorial traps obscure the complex realities of borderland life, where trade, labour mobility, informal crossings, and shared social ties routinely blur the line between inside and outside. Introducing the concept of the Third Space, the analysis highlights these everyday practices as a more accurate reflection of cross-border interactions, offering a people-centred alternative to conventional geopolitical narratives. A multidisciplinary, ground-up perspective becomes essential for understanding the border as a dynamic, socially embedded arena rather than a rigid boundary, with significant implications for policy and interstate relations.

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