On May 28, 2025, the long-standing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand finally erupted into military conflict, drawing significant attention from the international community. The roots of this dispute can be traced back to the two countries' long failure to reach an agreement on border demarcation, and in 2025, a series of events led to a sharp deterioration of the situation.

The trigger for the conflict was a firefight that occurred in the 'Emerald Triangle' area at the border between Cambodia's Preah Vihear Province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani. Reports indicate that this exchange of fire resulted in the unfortunate death of a Cambodian soldier. The military forces of both countries subsequently accused each other of firing first, resulting in further escalation of the situation.

As the conflict escalated, the two countries implemented a brief closure of border crossings in early June. Although the crossings later reopened, this did not effectively alleviate the tensions. This conflict not only affects the relationship between the two countries but also poses a potential threat to the stability of the entire Southeast Asian region.

It is worth noting that such geopolitical conflicts often have a ripple effect on global financial markets. Especially in situations of increased uncertainty, investors may be more inclined to shift their funds towards gold, which is seen as a safe-haven asset. Therefore, this conflict may put upward pressure on gold prices.

However, we should also recognize that peace and stability are crucial for regional development. The international community should actively intervene to promote Cambodia and Thailand in resolving disputes through diplomatic means, avoiding further escalation of conflicts. At the same time, this incident also highlights the importance of addressing historical issues in a timely manner to prevent similar conflicts from occurring again in the future.