Thailand conducted airstrikes along the contested border with Cambodia on Monday following allegations from both sides of violating a ceasefire that had stopped hostilities earlier this year. In July, prolonged border disputes escalated into five days of conflict resulting in casualties among soldiers and civilians. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a truce in October, tensions have persisted.
Amid the recent clashes, over 50,000 individuals have evacuated border regions in Thailand, while Cambodia has reported the evacuation of residents from nearby villages. The skirmishes have claimed the life of one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians, according to officials.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized in a televised address that military actions would be taken as needed to safeguard the nation and ensure public security. He reiterated Thailand’s stance against instigating violence but emphasized a firm stance on defending sovereignty.
The ceasefire faced strain in early November when Thai troops encountered land mines, prompting Thailand to announce the suspension of the agreement indefinitely. Both countries continue to exchange accusations over the incidents, despite being engaged in joint efforts to clear the mines.
Donald Trump intervened in mid-November to uphold the ceasefire as tensions simmered between the neighboring nations. However, a brief clash erupted on Sunday along the border, with conflicting claims on who initiated the confrontation. Thailand’s army reported injuries to two soldiers due to Cambodian fire, leading to a retaliatory exchange lasting approximately 20 minutes.
On Monday, Thai army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree stated that Cambodian troops initiated firing into Thai territory in multiple locations, resulting in casualties among Thai soldiers and civilian evacuations from the affected areas. Thailand responded by conducting airstrikes on military targets to counter Cambodian attacks.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry spokesperson, Maly Socheata, accused the Thai military of initiating the attacks on Cambodian troops and urged Thailand to cease activities threatening regional peace and stability. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for restraint and expressed readiness to support efforts to prevent further escalations in the conflict.
Thailand and Cambodia have a history of animosity dating back centuries, rooted in territorial disputes linked to a 1907 map drawn during Cambodia’s French colonial period, contested by Thailand. The ceasefire agreement does not outline a resolution to the underlying border disagreements between the two nations.
