According to Thai authorities, clashes between troops from Thailand and Cambodia at their disputed border have resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals.
The recent clashes signify a significant intensification of a long-standing conflict between the two Southeast Asian nations, a rivalry that has persisted for over a hundred years.
According to reports from Thailand’s army, the majority of the casualties were civilians hailing from three provinces, with several others sustaining injuries. Cambodia has not yet confirmed any potential casualties.
Early on Thursday, gunfire erupted between both sides, with each party asserting that the other was responsible for igniting the conflict. The situation intensified rapidly, as Thailand levelled accusations against Cambodia for launching rockets, prompting Bangkok to execute air strikes on Cambodian military positions.
Thailand has officially closed its border with Cambodia, a move that comes as Cambodia has chosen to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Thailand, citing accusations against the Thai military for employing “excessive force”.
In a significant move, both nations have urged their citizens residing near the border to evacuate the areas. Thailand has taken the lead by relocating 40,000 civilians to safer locations.
The intensity of the fighting is quite severe. “We’re currently in the process of evacuating,” said Sutian Phiwchan, a resident of Ban Dan district in Thailand’s Buriram province, located near the Cambodian border, in an interview with the BBC.
Authorities in Thailand have reported that a total of 11 civilians, including an eight-year-old and a 15-year-old, along with one military personnel member, have lost their lives in the provinces of Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Srisaket.
Thailand and Cambodia have presented contrasting accounts of the events that transpired.
Thailand has asserted that the situation escalated when Cambodia’s military deployed drones for surveillance of Thai troops stationed near the border.
Cambodia alleges that Thai soldiers sparked the conflict by breaching a previous agreement and advancing towards a Khmer-Hindu temple located near the border.
The origins of the dispute can be traced back over a century, stemming from the delineation of borders between the two nations following the French occupation of Cambodia.
In 2008, tensions escalated when Cambodia sought to register an 11th-century temple situated in the contested region as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This initiative sparked intense protests from Thailand.
Sporadic clashes occurred over the years, resulting in casualties among both soldiers and civilians on each side.
Tensions escalated in May following the death of a Cambodian soldier during a confrontation. Bilateral relations have reached their lowest point in over a decade.
Over the last two months, reciprocal border restrictions have been enacted by both nations. Cambodia has implemented a ban on imports from Thailand, which includes a range of fruits and vegetables, and has also ceased importing power and internet services.
In recent weeks, both nations have bolstered their military presence along the border.
Thailand’s acting premier Phumtham Wechayachai has characterised the ongoing dispute with Cambodia as “delicate,” emphasising the need for a careful approach that adheres to international law.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that his nation seeks a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute, while also asserting that it has “no choice” but to “respond with armed force against armed aggression”.
Intense gunfire between the two nations has subsided in a relatively short period.
Despite indications that the ongoing conflict may not escalate into a full-scale war, both nations are currently devoid of leadership capable of demonstrating the strength and confidence necessary to de-escalate this confrontation.
Hun Manet, the offspring of a former strongman, currently lacks independent authority. Meanwhile, his father, Hun Sen, appears prepared to escalate this conflict to enhance his nationalist image.
Thailand currently finds itself under a precarious coalition government, which is supported by the influence of former strongman Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thaksin expressed his belief in a close personal relationship with Hun Sen and his family, stating that he feels betrayed by Hun Sen’s choice to leak a private conversation. This decision resulted in his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, being suspended from her role as prime minister.
