Intense border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the clashes took place in an area known as the “Emerald Triangle”, where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet. The region is home to several ancient temples.

Thailand reportedly launched airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets against Cambodian military targets, while Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells into Thai territory. The fighting began near two disputed temples between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, with both sides blaming each other for initiating the conflict.

A spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense stated that Thai forces violated Cambodian sovereignty by attacking its military positions, and that Cambodia had exercised its legitimate right to self-defense under international law.

Meanwhile, Thailand claimed that Cambodian forces fired the first shots, even targeting civilians.

During the skirmishes, a Cambodian artillery shell struck a home in Thailand, killing one civilian and injuring three others, including a five-year-old child. In response, the Thai government urged its citizens to leave Cambodia immediately unless absolutely necessary.

These clashes come amid deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries in recent weeks. Thailand recently expelled Cambodia’s ambassador and recalled its own envoy from Phnom Penh.

Cambodia responded by downgrading diplomatic relations to their lowest level and withdrawing most of its diplomats from Thailand.

The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute dates back several decades and has previously led to bloody confrontations. Tensions have recently intensified due to border restrictions and import bans imposed by both sides.

Given the escalating violence, officials from both nations have called for diplomatic efforts and adherence to international law to prevent further conflict.

Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of territorial disputes, most notably over the Preah Vihear promontory, a region surrounding a 1,000-year-old temple that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. In 2013, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded sovereignty over the area to Cambodia.

Recent border incidents have included a February event where Cambodian troops and their families entered an ancient temple near the border and sang the national anthem, leading to a brief dispute with Thai forces. The event was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.

The latest clashes come as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra both attend this week’s ASEAN summit, where they have emphasized regional cooperation.