Thailand and Cambodia
The border, territorial controversies and armed clashes conditioned the relationship in 2025. Ceasefire agreements have their own verification and follow-up. Trade and human contacts do not eliminate risks affecting border communities.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07The Kuala Lumpur declaration
The prime ministers signed a declaration on 26 October 2025 in the presence of the US and Malaysian leaders.
Observation and compliance
The declaration provides for an ASEAN Observer Team with personnel from member states.
Distinguishing agreements from the state of the border
The October and December texts constitute different episodes after fighting in 2025.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 8,354.05 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / THA |
| Goods: Thailand to Cambodia | 7,305.37 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / THA |
| Goods: Cambodia to Thailand | 1,048.68 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / THA |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Thailand to Cambodia | 2.15 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / THA |
| Export share: Cambodia to Thailand | ||
| Investment stock: Thailand in Cambodia | ||
| Investment stock: Cambodia in Thailand |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / THA · Goods; full year; reporter THA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Goods: Thailand to Cambodia
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / THA · Goods; full year; reporter THA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Goods: Cambodia to Thailand
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / THA · Goods; full year; reporter THA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Export share: Thailand to Cambodia
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / THA · Goods share: exports from THA to the partner / exports from the same reporter to the world, same year.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | Thailand | Cambodia |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 577.01 billion USD2025 · WB | 51.27 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 8,056.56 USD2025 · WB | 2,872.43 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 2.44 %2025 · WB | 5.35 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | -0.13 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 2.35 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | ||
| Unemployment | 0.78 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 0.26 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -1.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 64.7 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 26.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 2.76 %2025 · WB | -3.64 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 71,619,8632025 · WB | 17,847,9822025 · WB |
| Area | 513,115 km²2023 · WB | 181,040 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDThailand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Cambodia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personThailand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Cambodia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Thailand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Cambodia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Thailand: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Cambodia: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency stated
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionThailand: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Cambodia: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Thailand: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Cambodia: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Thailand: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Cambodia: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPThailand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Cambodia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleThailand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Cambodia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceThailand: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.Cambodia: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Thailand to Cambodia
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 780.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 518.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 508.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 363.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 61.5 M USD2025 · Source |
Cambodia to Thailand
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 173.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 47.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 24.6 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 2.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
Connections between people
Education, work, visits and community connections have their own records and procedures. Residents are not equivalent to annual arrivals, and visits may be repeated. The tables retain dates, definitions and sources to distinguish these connections from business contracts and government decisions. [2]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Thailand living in Cambodia | ||
| Residents from Cambodia living in Thailand | ||
| Study and training: Thailand in Cambodia | ||
| Study and training: Cambodia in Thailand | ||
| Academic stays: Thailand in Cambodia | ||
| Academic stays: Cambodia in Thailand | ||
| Travel: Thailand to Cambodia | ||
| Travel: Cambodia to Thailand |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
The Kuala Lumpur declaration
The prime ministers signed a declaration on 26 October 2025 in the presence of the US and Malaysian leaders. The document addresses a ceasefire and follow-up measures, not a complete delimitation resolving all territorial issues. Signing establishes commitments; implementation requires observation and subsequent actions by the parties. [1]
Observation and compliance
The declaration provides for an ASEAN Observer Team with personnel from member states. Its observation role is distinct from a mission of conquest or a defense treaty. The existence of a team does not prove continuous compliance. Displaced people and border communities face material consequences not adequately reflected solely in annual goods volumes. [1]
The new December agreement
The third special General Border Committee meeting reached an agreement on 27 December in Ban Pak Kard, with ASEAN observers. The Thai statement mentions return of eighteen Cambodian soldiers after fully maintaining the ceasefire for seventy-two hours. The announced condition is not presented as independent confirmation of its subsequent implementation. [2]
The scale of the two economies
Thailand recorded nominal GDP of USD 577 billion in 2025, compared with 51.3 in 2025 for Cambodia. The reference populations were 71.62 million (2025) and 17.85 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, Thailand's nominal GDP was 11.25 times Cambodia's. The figures contextualize market size; they do not in themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or demographic extrapolations retain their markings in the table. A ratio is not calculated when the periods do not match. [4] [5]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Distinguishing agreements from the state of the border
The October and December texts constitute different episodes after fighting in 2025. The profile does not assert permanent peace in 2026 without specific verification. Annual goods retain an economic period distinct from security monitoring. Statements by one side are identified as such to avoid turning allegations or commitments into independent technical conclusions. [2]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between Thailand and Cambodia totaled 8354.1 million USD. Thailand's shipments to Cambodia were USD 7305.4 million; shipments in the opposite direction were USD 1048.7 million. Thailand's shipments to the partner represented 2.15% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporter. A single customs declaration is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or subsidiaries' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [3]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Kuala Lumpur declaration
Governments of Thailand and Cambodia · Institutional source · Document: 2025-10-26 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- December 2025 border committee agreement
Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Document: 2025-12-27 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 764; partners 0,116
UN Comtrade / THA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / THA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / THA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / THA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / THA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / THA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / THA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / THA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / THA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / THA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / THA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 764; partners 116; X/M; annual goods.