The Peace Walk in Phnom Penh: 2,569 Monks March for Reconciliation

From Wat Phnom to the Independence Monument, a Call for Compassion and Ceasefire

On August 10, 2025, over 2,500 Buddhist monks from across Cambodia gathered at Wat Phnom for a solemn and purposeful Peace Walk. Their destination: the Independence Monument, a symbolic endpoint for a pilgrimage rooted in compassion, unity, and the urgent need for peace.

🧘 Purpose and Message

The walk was organised in response to recent armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces along the border (July 24–28), which displaced thousands of civilians and left 18 Cambodian soldiers in Thai custody.

The monks walked to:

• Advocate for a permanent ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand

• Urge the release of the 18 captured soldiers

• Promote regional stability, safety, and reconciliation

• Reinforce the spiritual and diplomatic commitments made in the July 28 ceasefire agreement

Their presence was a reminder that faith can be a force for diplomacy, and that prayer, when made public, can carry political weight.

🛤️ The Route and Atmosphere

• The walk began at Wat Phnom, a historic and spiritual landmark in central Phnom Penh

• Monks proceeded along Preah Norodom Boulevard, chanting prayers and receiving alms

• The procession ended at the Independence Monument, where statements were made by government and religious leaders

The atmosphere was solemn but hopeful—an act of nonviolent resistance, rooted in Buddhist teachings and national unity.

🗣️ Voices from the Walk

• H.E. Pen Bona, Head of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit, called the event “a testament to Cambodia’s peace-loving spirit”

• Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information, described the walk as a “spiritual effort to reinforce diplomatic goals with the power of prayer and compassion”

• Monastic leaders emphasised that spiritual unity can help foster peace and reconciliation, urging both governments to honour their commitments.

✍️ Reflection

This wasn’t just a religious event. It was a spiritual intervention—a public act of hope, humility, and moral clarity. In a region where diplomacy often falters, the monks offered a different kind of leadership: one rooted in presence, prayer, and peaceful resistance.