A significant escalation in fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces has resulted in at least 14 deaths and displaced over 100,000 civilians, according to Thai authorities.
An Erupting Conflict
The violence began on Thursday and continued into Friday, involving an array of weaponry including small arms, rockets, artillery, and airstrikes. This confrontation marks the most severe clash between the two Southeast Asian neighbors in over a decade, as reported by the Associated Press (AP).
Mass Displacement and Casualties
The Thai Interior Ministry confirmed that the fighting has impacted four provinces, prompting the evacuation of civilians living within 50 kilometers of the border. The ministry reported that approximately 167,000 people have been relocated to shelters due to the ongoing violence, with the death toll rising to 14, consisting of 13 civilians and one soldier.
In Oddar Meanchey province, families fled the border area, transporting their belongings on homemade tractors to makeshift camps. “Suddenly I heard a loud noise,” said Tep Savouen, a 45-year-old mother of four. “My son told me it might be thunder, and I thought, ‘Is it thunder or something more like a gun?’ At that moment, I was very scared.”
Government Reactions
In Bangkok, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin confirmed the casualties and condemned what he called Cambodian attacks on civilians. “We urge the Cambodian government to immediately halt these war criminal actions and respect the principles of peaceful coexistence,” he stated.
Diplomatic Fallout
The violence follows a landmine blast on Wednesday that injured five Thai soldiers, leading to the expulsion of ambassadors from both countries and a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations. Thai officials accused Cambodia of laying new Russian-made mines, while Cambodian authorities dismissed the allegations as “baseless accusations,” attributing them to remnants from past conflicts.
Fighting erupted in at least six areas along the border, including near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple. Thai F-16 fighter jets conducted airstrikes in retaliation against what the government claimed were Cambodian rocket attacks. “It was an act of self-defense,” stated Nikorndej Balankura, spokesperson for the Thai Foreign Ministry.
In response, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry claimed the airstrikes struck near Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and vowed to take legal action. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata stated, “We had no choice but to defend our territory against Thai threats,” asserting that their attacks targeted military locations.
International and Domestic Reactions
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both nations to “exercise maximum restraint and resolve their issues through dialogue,” according to deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has requested an emergency UN Security Council session, which took place behind closed doors on Friday.
Thailand has since closed all land border crossings and advised its citizens to leave Cambodia, while all seven Thai airlines have offered assistance for repatriating nationals.
Adding to the internal pressure, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended amid an ethics probe related to her interactions with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. Now, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is leading the response, warning Cambodia against further aggression.
