Between Thailand and Cambodia, armed conflict broke out in the long-scattered border areas, rapidly escalating tensions for months.
Fighting included gunfire exchange, shelling and rocket shooting, which killed at least 14 people in Thailand, 14 people in Cambodia and injured dozens while driving thousands of people to houses near the border. Thailand also attacked China Cambodia with airs.
This is the second armed confrontation as a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in May and was demoted for several hours after the two countries were demoted after the mines caused by Thai soldiers.
Thai military clashed on Friday at locations on the border near four Thai provinces.
This is a dispute between two Southeast Asian neighbors.
The dispute broke out in May after the Thai Armed Forces and Cambodian Armed Forces launched each other in a relatively small, disputed border area.
Both sides say they are in self-defense. A Cambodian soldier was killed.
While the countries subsequently said they agreed to the downgrade situation, Cambodian and Thai authorities continued to implement measures that would or threaten the armed forces, making tensions higher.
Thailand has added restrictions to its close limits with Cambodia’s border, with almost all crossings ceased except for students, medical patients and others with necessary needs. On Thursday, Thai authorities announced that they would completely seal the border.
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Cambodia also bans Thai movies and TV shows, halted the import of Thai fuel, fruits and vegetables, and boycotted some international internet links and power sources from its neighbors.
Political turmoil occurred in Thailand
The nationalist passions on both sides angered the situation.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended on July 1 and was investigated for violating ethics for handling border disputes after leaking phone calls with senior Cambodian leaders.
In a June call, Paetontarn called former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen “uncle” and criticized Thai military leadership, and criticized critics’ comments made by critics as disrespectful to national sovereignty.
Hun Sen was inherited by his son Hun Manet in 2023, but remains influential as Senate president. He is a long-time friend of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular but divisive former prime minister who is alienated from the border dispute.
The leaked phone calls sparked widespread anger and protests. Her support for Cambodia was also weakened when the Bhumjaithai party, the second largest partner of the Pheu Pheu, withdraws support from Paetontarn’s Thai party.
Paetongtarn apologized and considered her comments a negotiation strategy. Her ally, former Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, was appointed acting prime minister.
Border claims spark cyclical tensions
Border disputes are long-standing problems that have caused periodic tensions between two neighbors. Thailand and Cambodia share more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) of land boundary.
The competitive claim stems mainly from a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule, which was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand. Cambodia has always used maps as a reference for claiming territory, while Thailand believes that the map is inaccurate.
The most prominent and fiercest conflict is near the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear Temple.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice granted sovereignty to the Temple Area of Cambodia. The ruling became the main stimulus in bilateral relations.
Cambodia returned to court in 2011 and its military had several clashes with Thai troops, killing about 20 people and displaced. The court reiterated its ruling in 2013 that was favorable to Cambodia.
Cambodia once again turned to the International Court of Justice to resolve border disputes, but Thailand rejected the court’s jurisdiction.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
