The monks, robed in saffron, marched from the country’s main religious school near the Royal Palace to a nearby temple, where they were joined by nuns and laypeople. Together, they chanted and prayed to honor the souls of the fallen soldiers, creating a poignant moment of reflection in the wake of violence.

Inside the temple, a board displayed photographs of more than 40 men in uniform, though it was unclear whether these represented only those killed or also included the wounded and captured. Cambodia has officially acknowledged the deaths of six of its troops in the fighting, which erupted late last month and raged for five days, claiming dozens of lives on both sides, including civilians, and displacing over 260,000 people across the border.

The clashes, triggered by a landmine explosion in disputed territory, are part of a decades-long dispute over small pockets along the 800-kilometer Cambodia-Thailand border. A fragile ceasefire, effective since July 29, has halted major hostilities, but both nations have reported truce violations, and the underlying territorial disputes remain unresolved.

Khem Sorn, the chief monk of Phnom Penh, explained that the ceremony aimed to support the government’s efforts to secure peace through the ceasefire while honoring the fallen. “We want to live side-by-side with Thailand as good neighbors, in unity and peace,” he told reporters, emphasizing a call for harmony among Buddhist nations.

The event, marked by solemn chants and heartfelt prayers, reflected Cambodia’s hope for reconciliation and stability, even as the region grapples with the scars of recent conflict. As the monks and community members stood together, their prayers carried a universal plea for an end to violence and a future of coexistence.