Thailand has carried out air raids along its disputed border with Cambodia after fresh clashes left one Thai soldier dead and four others injured, reigniting long-standing territorial tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
Thai military spokesperson Major-General Winthai Suvari said the airstrikes were launched in Ubon Ratchathani province to “suppress Cambodian attacks” following what he described as cross-border fire that began around 5:05am on Monday.
Cambodia rejected Thailand’s accusations, saying in a statement posted on Facebook that Thai forces initiated the assault at 5am, and claimed the incident came after “many days of provocative actions” by Thailand.
Conflicting Narratives, Rising Tensions
The renewed fighting comes months after a ceasefire ended five days of heavy clashes in July that killed at least 48 people and displaced more than 300,000. The truce was brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and U.S. President Donald Trump, with an expanded peace agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur in October.
Tensions resurfaced in November when Thailand halted implementation of the ceasefire after a landmine blast injured one of its soldiers. Cambodia insisted the explosive was a remnant from past conflicts.
On Monday, Cambodia urged restraint, saying it had not retaliated during the latest attacks and remained committed to resolving disputes peacefully. Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen also warned troops not to be drawn into further escalation and encouraged Cambodian athletes to proceed with their participation in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand starting Tuesday.
Thousands Displaced Again
The renewed clashes have triggered additional evacuations along both sides of the border. Thailand’s Second Army Region reported that about 35,000 residents have been moved from high-risk areas, while authorities in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province said many villagers are fleeing to safer locations. Schools in the province were closed on Monday due to the security situation.
A Century-Old Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have contested multiple undemarcated areas along their 817-km (508-mile) land border for more than a century. The frontier, originally mapped by French colonial authorities in 1907, has been the source of repeated flare-ups, including a week-long artillery exchange in 2011.
With both sides trading accusations and military activity intensifying, regional observers warn that the fragile ceasefire may be at risk unless urgent diplomatic intervention takes place.