SISAKET, Thailand, July 26 – The conflict along the Thai-Cambodian border has entered its third day, with violence spreading to new areas and the death toll rising to over 30. Amid the worst border confrontation between the two Southeast Asian nations in over a decade, both sides continue to blame each other for provoking hostilities while expressing conditional openness to dialogue. The conflict, rooted in long-standing territorial disputes around ancient temples and undefined border demarcations, has already displaced more than 130,000 people.
Fighting resumed early Saturday morning, with fresh clashes reported in Thailand’s Trat province and Cambodia’s Pursat province. These new fronts, located more than 100 kilometers from previously affected areas, mark an alarming expansion of the conflict zone. Both governments have claimed self-defense as justification for the renewed fighting, but neither side has taken tangible steps toward de-escalation.
New Flashpoints and Mounting Casualties
The spark for the current wave of violence can be traced back to a deadly incident in late May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of fire. Since then, tensions have steadily risen, culminating in full-scale clashes this past week. Thai officials have confirmed that 7 of their soldiers and 13 civilians have been killed, while Cambodian authorities report the loss of five soldiers and eight civilians.
In the border province of Sisaket, Thai authorities have transformed university buildings into emergency shelters. One volunteer noted that more than 5,000 displaced residents are currently being housed there. Among them is Samrong Khamduang, a 51-year-old woman who fled her farm near the border. “The noise from the artillery was terrifying,” she said. Her husband stayed behind to care for their livestock, and she has since lost contact with him.
The conflict has prompted both countries to increase their military presence in the border region. Cambodia accuses Thailand of launching deliberate and illegal military operations, while Thailand insists that Cambodian troops have planted new landmines on its territory. Tensions reached the international stage on Friday, when both countries presented their cases during a United Nations Security Council meeting.
Thailand’s representative reported that Thai soldiers had been injured on two separate occasions by landmines allegedly placed inside Thai territory. Cambodian officials rejected the allegations, claiming instead that Thailand initiated the violence. Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement Saturday accusing Thailand of “unprovoked and unlawful military attacks” and claimed that Thai forces were massing troops and equipment in preparation for further aggression.
ASEAN Steps In as International Pressure Grows
The rising violence has drawn regional concern, particularly from Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has publicly called for a ceasefire and initiated diplomatic outreach to both parties. He noted ongoing communication through his foreign ministry and expressed a willingness to personally engage in negotiations. Cambodia has shown support for Malaysia’s proposal, while Thailand has stated its agreement in principle.
“There is still some exchange of fire,” Anwar acknowledged during a public address. “I have asked the foreign minister to maintain contact with both governments, and I may continue to speak with them directly, if necessary, to at least halt the fighting.”
Even with ongoing diplomatic efforts, neither side has shifted its stance. Cambodia has urged the global community to denounce Thailand’s actions, claiming they endanger peace in the region. Thailand, on the other hand, continues to advocate for a bilateral resolution, resisting calls for international arbitration.
The heart of the dispute lies in conflicting claims over sacred sites and undemarcated stretches of the 817-kilometer land border. At the center are the ancient Hindu temples of Ta Moan Thom and the historically significant 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. Though the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962, Thailand has long disputed the ruling, particularly after Cambodia’s 2008 attempt to list the site as a UNESCO World Heritage landmark. That effort triggered sporadic skirmishes over the years, leading to dozens of casualties.
Cambodia has again appealed to the International Court to mediate the current crisis, but Thailand maintains that it does not recognize the court’s authority in this matter. Thai officials insist that a peaceful resolution must come through direct negotiations between the two nations.