Thailand has launched airstrikes on Cambodia after deadly border clashes resulted in at least 15 deaths, including 14 civilians. The violence, which erupted on July 24, is centered around the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple, a longstanding flashpoint in the territorial conflict between the two Southeast Asian nations.
The situation has escalated rapidly, with both countries accusing each other of provoking the hostilities.
The immediate trigger for the clashes was a landmine explosion on July 23, which injured five Thai soldiers in Ubon Ratchathani province. Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying new mines, while Cambodia claims that the explosion was caused by remnants from past conflicts. In retaliation, Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to bomb Cambodian military positions, asserting the strikes were a defensive response to artillery and rocket fire from Cambodian forces.
Cambodia condemned Thailand’s airstrikes, calling them a violation of its sovereignty. Cambodian officials responded with artillery attacks on Thai territory, including a strike on a gas station in Sisaket province that resulted in civilian casualties.
The fighting has displaced over 100,000 civilians, with Thailand evacuating 40,000 residents from Surin province and closing all border crossings with Cambodia. Diplomatic ties have quickly deteriorated, with Thailand recalling its ambassador and expelling Cambodia’s envoy. In response, Cambodia has downgraded diplomatic relations and called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene, labeling Thailand’s actions as aggression.
The conflict has further intensified political tensions within Thailand. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office following the leak of a phone call in which he discussed the border dispute, a conversation that has been widely seen as compromising national sovereignty.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back over a century, with both nations claiming ownership of various ancient temples and surrounding areas. Despite a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice awarding Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia, Thailand continues to reject the court’s jurisdiction over the border demarcation and insists on resolving the issue through bilateral negotiations.
International organizations, including the United Nations and ASEAN, have urged both nations to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue to peacefully resolve the crisis. The situation remains volatile, with concerns rising over its broader implications for regional stability.