On Thursday, Cambodia evacuated hundreds of people from Prey Chan village along its disputed border with Thailand, following a deadly shooting incident that took place a day earlier. The violence led to the reported death of a local resident, identified as Dy Nai, and left three others injured. The shooting incident raised concerns in a region already fraught with tension due to ongoing territorial disputes between the neighboring countries.
The shooting on Wednesday occurred just two days after a Thai soldier was severely injured when he lost a foot to a land mine while patrolling a different area of the border. Following this incident, Thailand accused Cambodia of being responsible for the land mine explosion and subsequently announced the suspension of the ceasefire agreement, which had been brokered in part by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In late July, a five-day armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia resulted in numerous casualties, including soldiers and civilians. Since then, even though a more detailed ceasefire agreement was signed last month, many of its terms have yet to be effectively implemented, keeping tensions high in the region. About 250 families from Prey Chan village, situated in Cambodia's northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey, were relocated to a Buddhist temple approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) away from the border following the shooting incident. Provincial Vice Governor Ly Sovannarith confirmed the evacuation effort.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for an independent investigation into the shooting to ensure justice for the affected individuals. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Defense Ministry led a team of observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to monitor the ceasefire situation along the border. Tensions escalated further when Thailand alleged that Cambodian soldiers fired into a district within Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo, prompting Thai forces to respond with warning shots.
Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree, a spokesperson for the Thai army, rejected Cambodia's claims that Thai forces initiated the fire. He characterized Cambodia's actions as provocative and accused the Cambodian military of using civilians as human shields, which he held as a violation of humanitarian principles. The Thai army’s insistence on their narrative further complicates the situation, creating an environment of mutual distrust.
The underlying territorial disputes have historical roots, stemming from a 1907 map created during Cambodia's French colonial period. These competing claims have led to resentment and animosity between the two nations over the years, epitomized by the sovereignty awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962 over the Preah Vihear temple area—a decision that remains a source of contention for many Thais.
The agreement from October aimed at establishing a ceasefire did not provide a clear solution to the ongoing territorial claims, leaving the potential for further conflict between the two countries. The recent incidents at the border highlight the fragility of peace in the region, underlining the urgent need for dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms that address the historical grievances and security concerns of both nations.
