A long-simmering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has exploded into a rapidly developing crisis. What started as rising tensions over a contested temple has now led to deadly clashes, military strikes, and diplomatic standoffs. With fighter jets in the sky, landmines on the ground, and the United Nations now being pulled in, the conflict is escalating fast. Here’s everything we know about the situation so far.
The Beginning of the conflict
The recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand reignited on February 13, when Cambodian soldiers escorted 25 civilians to the disputed Prasat Ta Moan Thom Temple, where the group reportedly sang the Cambodian national anthem. This symbolic act was perceived as a political provocation by Thai military officials, who stopped the singing and claimed it violated existing mutual agreements regarding tourist conduct in contested areas. The Thai army followed up with a warning letter on February 17, accusing Cambodia of “inappropriate behaviour” and warning against any repetition of the act. Tensions escalated sharply on May 28, when a violent clash broke out in the Emerald Triangle, a sensitive tri-border area between Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. The confrontation left one Cambodian soldier dead, with both sides blaming the other for initiating the violence.
By June 12, diplomatic relations began to fray even further. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that Cambodia would cut its dependency on Thai electricity and internet infrastructure, citing “threats” from the Thai side. This was followed by cultural and economic retaliation: Cambodian television stopped broadcasting Thai films, and imports of Thai fuel, gas, fruits, and vegetables were blocked. Although both governments met in Phnom Penh on June 14 to de-escalate tensions, the talks yielded no substantial peace agreement. Instead, both sides increased military presence along the border and imposed tighter controls at border crossings.
The conflict took a political turn when, on June 15, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the country’s youngest-ever premier, held a phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, who is also the father of the current Cambodian prime minister. The call was leaked, and Shinawatra was heard criticising her own military’s actions. This revelation triggered internal strife within Thailand, and on July 1, Shinawatra was suspended from office amid rising demands for her resignation by pro-military protesters.
Meanwhile, violence on the ground intensified. On July 16, a Thai soldier lost a leg due to a landmine explosion while patrolling in Ubon Ratchathani’s Chong Bok area. Just a week later, on July 23, a second landmine blast near Chong An Ma injured five Thai soldiers, resulting in another soldier losing a leg. In response, Thailand shut multiple border checkpoints and temples in the area, including Chong An Ma, Chong Sa-ngam, Chong Chom, Chong Sai Takoo, Ta Moan Thom, and Ta Kwai. Diplomatic ties further deteriorated on July 24, when violence broke out again, this time involving heavy weapons and air attacks. Cambodia immediately recalled its diplomatic staff from Thailand, signalling the most serious rupture in relations between the two countries in recent years.
Current Situation
Armed clashes broke out early Thursday near the disputed Prasat Ta Moan Thom Temple in Surin province, Thailand, close to the Cambodian border. Fighting reportedly erupted at 12 locations along the border, with both sides blaming each other for starting the violence.
According to Thai officials, Cambodian troops used heavy weapons, launched a surveillance drone, and fired rocketstoward a Thai military post and a nearby village. In response, Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets, which crossed into Cambodian territory and struck two military targets.
Cambodia denied firing first and accused Thailand of breaching its sovereignty. Cambodian officials said they only acted in self-defence after Thai jets bombed a road inside Cambodia.
Casualties
At least 15 people have been killed in Thailand, most of them civilians, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Among the victims was an eight-year-old child. On the Cambodian side, one civilian death has been reported so far.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred when a Cambodian rocket struck a busy gas station in Thailand’s Sisaket province, killing six people and injuring ten others, the Thai army reported. Additional fatalities were recorded in Surinand Ubon Ratchathani provinces, where three more people lost their lives.
What Is The Reason?
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have reached a critical point, marking the most serious breakdown in relations in over a decade. The root of the conflict lies in a long-standing border dispute, stretching across 818 kilometers, with disagreements dating back to 1907 when France, then the colonial power in Cambodia, drew the original demarcation lines. Over the years, these unresolved borders, many of which run through areas dotted with centuries-old temples, have been a constant source of rivalry. While past confrontations have occurred, the current situation is especially alarming as it’s the first time fighter jets have been deployed, signaling a major escalation.
Although the idea of creating a demilitarized zone has been discussed before, no such agreement has ever been formalized, leaving both armies operating in tense, undefined territory. A similar conflict erupted in 2011 near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, resulting in the deaths of 15–20 people and forcing thousands to flee their homes. Cambodia has previously taken the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), first in 1963, and again in 2011 over Preah Vihear. In 2013, the ICJ ruled in Cambodia’s favour, granting it control over the area surrounding the temple. However, it did not address other flashpoints, particularly in the Emerald Triangle, a volatile region where Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos meet, and where military clashes are frequent.
Thailand has refused to accept the ICJ’s jurisdiction in the broader border dispute. This year, tensions worsened steadily, from landmine blasts that injured Thai soldiers to the expulsion of Cambodia’s ambassador from Bangkok. According to regional experts, these developments were seen as the final straw in a crisis that had been steadily spiraling out of control.
Stance By Both The Countries
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who currently holds the presidency of the United Nations Security Council, has written to Pakistan, another member, urging the Council to hold an emergency meeting. He accused Thailand of carrying out “unprovoked and premeditated military aggression”, calling it a violation of international law.
In response, Thailand has rejected any third-party mediation, according to a statement from its Foreign Ministry. Instead, Bangkok has demanded that Cambodia halt its attacks and has insisted that any resolution to the conflict be reached strictly through direct, bilateral talks.
This is a developing situation.
Source: Al Jazeera, Tribune
