BANGKOK (AP) – Thailand has initiated airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia as both nations accuse one another of violating a ceasefire that was established to halt conflicts earlier this year. The longstanding border disputes flared into significant armed confrontations in July, resulting in the deaths of dozens of soldiers and civilians. Following the violence, U.S. President Donald Trump facilitated a truce agreement in October; however, tensions have remained high.
According to the Thai Ministry of Defense, over 35,000 individuals have evacuated from regions near the border to shelters, with many others reportedly seeking refuge with relatives. Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra confirmed that residents from several border villages have also been evacuated in response to the escalating hostilities.
The ceasefire was further strained in early November after Thai troops sustained injuries from land mines. This incident prompted Thailand to announce the indefinite suspension of the agreement aimed at demilitarizing the border area. Despite assurances to collaborate on clearing land mines, both countries have exchanged blame for the ongoing tensions.
In mid-November, Trump stated that he had intervened to help maintain the peace as hostilities simmered between Thailand and Cambodia. However, a recent exchange of gunfire occurred on Sunday, with both parties asserting that the other initiated the shooting. The Thai military reported that Cambodian fire resulted in injuries to two Thai soldiers, prompting a retaliatory response that lasted approximately 20 minutes. Conversely, Cambodia claimed the Thai side struck first and maintained that its troops did not retaliate.
On Monday, Thai army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree claimed that Cambodian forces initiated aggression against Thailand in multiple areas. He reported one Thai soldier was killed and four others wounded, subsequently leading to the evacuation of civilians from the impacted regions. The Thai military carried out airstrikes to target Cambodian military positions to suppress fire from Cambodian troops.
In contrast, Maly Socheata, a spokesperson for the Cambodian Defense Ministry, contended that the Thai military was the aggressor in Monday’s actions, asserting that Cambodia did not strike back during the initial escalation. She urged Thailand to cease all hostile activities that could threaten regional peace and stability.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, called for restraint in a statement shared via social media, expressing Malaysia's readiness to support efforts to prevent further conflict. He emphasized the need for the region to avoid allowing long-standing disputes to escalate into cycles of violence.
The historical context of the rivalry between Thailand and Cambodia extends back centuries, with roots in ancient empires. The contemporary territorial disagreements significantly trace back to a 1907 map created during Cambodia's French colonial period, which Thailand has contested for its accuracy. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of Cambodia’s sovereignty over the area that includes the Preah Vihear temple, a decision that has since been a source of resentment for many Thais.
The existing ceasefire lacks a comprehensive framework to address the fundamental issues leading to the territorial disputes, which primarily revolve around the delineation of the border. The absence of a clear resolution may perpetuate ongoing friction between the two nations.
