BANGKOK (LiCAS News): Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondarattana of Bangkok, Thailand, warned against the exploitation of nationalist sentiment and called for peace rooted in justice and human dignity as armed clashes continued along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
“The tensions at the border are a source of deep concern. As a Church, we are called to resist divisive ideologies and to build bridges of fraternity,” said Archbishop Arpondarattana, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, in an interview published by Italian Catholic news agency AgenSir on July 26.
The archbishop emphasised that the Thai Catholic Church views the current military escalation “with profound concern, interpreting it through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, which prioritises human dignity, peace, and justice.”
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an unconditional ceasfire on July 28, the BBC reported, after fighting broke out on July 24 in the disputed Ta Muen Thom area, resulting in at least 33 deaths and the displacement of over 130,000 people.
The tensions at the border are a source of deep concern. As a Church, we are called to resist divisive ideologies and to build bridges of fraternity
Archbishop Arpondarattana
Thai authorities declared martial law in eight districts as tensions over long-standing territorial disputes, including those related to the Preah Vihear temple, threaten to escalate further.
While acknowledging the historical complexities behind the conflict, the archbishop cautioned against using border disputes as tools of political distraction.
“We observe how these tensions may be manipulated to stoke nationalist sentiments, distract public attention from domestic issues, and serve the interests of specific political actors,” he said.
Archbishop Arpondarattana said manipulation “hinders genuine efforts towards peaceful resolution and sustainable development, placing short-term political opportunism above the lasting well-being of the population.”
The archbishop said, “Ordinary people, especially those living in border areas, are the first victims. They suffer displacement, loss of livelihoods, and constant threats of violence.”
In response to the crisis, Catholic communities in the affected border areas have mobilised to deliver emergency relief, focusing on displaced individuals and vulnerable families.
Ordinary people, especially those living in border areas, are the first victims. They suffer displacement, loss of livelihoods, and constant threats of violence
Archbishop Arpondarattana
Their efforts include the distribution of shelter, food, medicine, and other essential supplies as part of the Church’s immediate humanitarian priorities.
The Church’s humanitarian response is being coordinated by the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees [COERR], a social service arm of the bishops’ conference.
Priests, religious, and lay volunteers are “actively visiting affected communities, offering spiritual support, listening to their experiences, and bringing a presence of solidarity and hope amidst suffering.”
The faithful across Thailand have been holding special Masses, prayer vigils, and rosaries to seek an end to hostilities and lasting peace, according to the archbishop.
Archbishop Arpondarattana reiterated the Church’s firm stance against violence, especially against civilians, adding that “non-combatants—including women, children, and the elderly – must always be protected.”
Despite current limitations in long-term planning, he said the Church is “ready to adapt its response and develop more structured and lasting programmes” if the situation deteriorates.
True security and prosperity are not founded on military strength, but on shared development, mutual respect, and a commitment to the common good
Archbishop Arpondarattana
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand also maintains strong fraternal relations with the Catholic Church in Cambodia.
“We are in regular contact with our counterparts, sharing information, concerns, and supporting each other in our respective pastoral missions,” the archbishop said. “A tangible sign of this solidarity is the presence of four Thai missionaries serving in various dioceses in Cambodia.”
Addressing the international community and the global Church, he issued a “fervent appeal for peace,” stressing that peace “is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, respect for human dignity, and reconciliation.”
He called on world leaders and faith communities alike to promote peace “through concrete actions,” including “allocating resources to humanitarian aid for those affected by the conflict, promoting economic cooperation that benefits all, and investing in initiatives that build bridges of understanding and solidarity among nations and peoples.”
Archbishop Arpondarattana said, “True security and prosperity are not founded on military strength, but on shared development, mutual respect, and a commitment to the common good.”
