Thailand Cambodia Border Dispute Causes
- The tension rises between the two kingdoms of Southeast Asia, with knives drawn since the death, at the end of May, of a Khmer soldier during an exchange...
- For several days, Tension rises between Thailand and Cambodiawith knives drawn since the death, at the end of May, of a Khmer soldier during an exchange of fire...
- This Thursday, July 24 in the morning, the Thailand accused the Cambodia to have launched a rocket attack "Targeted" Against civilians causing at least one dead, according to...
The tension rises between the two kingdoms of Southeast Asia, with knives drawn since the death, at the end of May, of a Khmer soldier during an exchange of fire with the Thai army in a disputed border area.
A dangerous escalation towards war? For several days, Tension rises between Thailand and Cambodiawith knives drawn since the death, at the end of May, of a Khmer soldier during an exchange of fire with the Thai army in a disputed border area between the two kingdoms of Southeast Asia. This border dispute between the two countries dates back to the layout of their 800 -kilometer border at the beginning of the 20th century, under the French occupation of Indochina. He has been the source of the death of 28 people in the region since 2008, but tensions have dropped in recent years.
This Thursday, July 24 in the morning, the Thailand accused the Cambodia to have launched a rocket attack “Targeted” Against civilians causing at least one dead, according to the Prime Minister’s office. The previous review reported three wounded civilians afterwards, says Bangkokthat two BM-21 rockets had affected a community in the Kap Choerg district of the province of Surin (northeast).
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In response, Thailand has led air strikes against two “Military targets on the ground” Cambodian women by deploying six F-16 combat planes, said assistant spokesman for the armed forces. And announced the closure of all border posts with its neighbor.
“Legitimate right to self -defense”
Earlier in the morning, exchanges of fire broke out on the border between the armies of the two countries, said the Cambodian Ministry of Defense and the Thai army. The incident took place near old temples at the Thai province of Surin (northeast) and, in Cambodia, the province of Oddar Meanchey, in the northwest. Each country accuses the other of having fired first.
“Around 8:20 am (1:20 GMT), the Cambodian forces opened towards fire towards the eastern flank of the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, about 200 meters from the Thai base”announced in a statement the Thai army in a statement that has also accused Phnom penh to have used a drone on this specific site an hour earlier.
For its part, Cambodia, through the voice of the spokesperson for his Ministry of Defense, accuses the Thai army of having “Raped [son] territorial integrity by launching an armed attack on the stationed Cambodian forces ยป. “In response, the Cambodian armed forces have exercised their legitimate right to self -defense, in full compliance with international law, to repel the Thai foray” “said Maly Socheata.
Closed border posts
Since the end of May, diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries have stalled. Cambodia has even downgraded to “Lower level” Diplomatic relations with his neighbor, the Cambodian Information Agency AKP reported on Thursday. The day before, Bangkok recalled his ambassador in place at Phnom Penh and expelled the Cambodian ambassador from his territory, after a Thai soldier lost a leg while walking on a mine in the border area of Chong Bok.
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According to Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, an investigation carried out by the army of his country proved that Cambodia had laid new mines in the disputed area. Conclusions that the Cambodian Ministry of Defense has “Rately rejected”. And to add that Phnom Penh would defend his territorial integrity “In all circumstances and at all costs”. According to Phnom Penh, the injured Thai soldiers – five in total – walked on old mines buried on its territory during the civil war. In this context, writes the Thai daily newspaper Bangkok Postthe Thai government wants to seize the president of the Ottawa Convention on anti -personnel mines, the two countries of which have been signatory since 1997.
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In response to the incident, Bangkok has ratified the army proposal to close several border posts, blocking dozens of workers and tourists. Cambodia has decided to stop importing Thailand fuel or fruit from Thailand. The Thai people were called upon to leave Cambodia, the Thai embassy said on Thursday.
The most violent modern episode linked to the border dates back to clashes that have broken out around the temple of Preah Vihear Between 2008 and 2011, which left at least 28 dead, and caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Last week, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced the establishment in 2026 of compulsory military service, judging that the situation stretched with Thailand justified this measure, and that the defense budget could also be increased.