What’s behind the clash between Thailand and Cambodia that left at least 11 dead
Bangkok (AP) – Armed clashes broke out on Thursday between Thailand and Cambodia in long -term border areas, quickly degenerating tensions of several months.
The fighting included exchanges of shots and bombings and rocket fires, which, according to Thai authorities, killed at least nine Thai civilians and injured 14 others in three provinces. Thailand has responded with air strikes.
It was the second armed confrontation since a Cambodian soldier was killed in May and a major escalation which occurred a few hours after the two countries downgraded diplomatic relations following an explosion of terrestrial mines that injured Thai soldiers.
The clashes continue in at least six zones along the border, said the Thai Defense Ministry. The first confrontation Thursday morning occurred in an area near the old temple of Ta Muen Thom along the border of the province of Oddchey Oddchey of the Surin and Cambodia.
Here is what you need to know about the dispute between the two neighbors in Southeast Asia.
How the dispute started
The dispute broke out in May after the armed forces of Thailand and Cambodia briefly fired on each other in a relatively small and disputed border area that each country claims to be its own.
The two parties said they had acted in self -defense. A Cambodian soldier was killed.
While the countries later declared, they agreed to defuse the situation, the Cambodian and Thai authorities continued to implement or threaten armed forces, keeping high tensions.
Thailand has added close restrictions on the border with Cambodia which has stopped almost all level passages, with the exception of students, medical patients and others with essential needs. Thai authorities announced that they completely sealed the border on Thursday.
Cambodia has also prohibited Thai movies and television programs, arrested the importation of Thai fuel, fruit and vegetables and has boycotted some of the international internet links of its neighbor and the power supply.
The fight against stimulating political disorders in Thailand
Nationalist passions on both sides ignited the situation.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from the office on July 1 to investigate any school violations on his treatment of the border dispute following a phone call disclosed with a senior Cambodian official.
During the June call, Paetongtarn referred to the former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticized the Thai military leadership, notes by criticisms as disrespectful towards national sovereignty.
Hun Sen was succeeded by his son Hun Manet in 2023, but remains influential as president of the Senate. He was a longtime friend of his father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a former popular prime minister but divisor, but they have become far from the border dispute.
The disclosed appeal has aroused an indicative and generalized protests. The coalition led by Pheu Thai, led by Paetongtarn, also weakened when his second partner, the Bhumjaithai party, removed support, citing its perceived sweetness towards Cambodia.
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In this photo published by the Thai royal army, Thai soldiers inspect a border area on Sunday July 20, 2025 in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, where the Thai royal army said that two anti-personal mines had been found. (Thai royal army via AP)
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In this photo published by the Thai royal army, Thai soldiers inspect a border area on Sunday July 20, 2025 in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, where the Thai royal army said that two anti-personal mines had been found. (Thai royal army via AP)
Develop
Paetongtarn apologized and argued that his comments were a negotiation tactic. His ally, the former Minister of Defense, Phumtham Wechayachai, was appointed acting Prime Minister.
The claims of borders cause periodic tensions
Border disputes are long -standing problems that have caused periodic tensions between the two neighbors. Thailand and Cambodia share more than 500 miles of land border.
Contestation affirmations largely stem from a 1907 map drawn under the French colonial rule which was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand. Cambodia used the map as a reference to claim a territory, while Thailand argued that the card is inaccurate.
The most important and violent conflicts were around the Preah Vihear temple, 1,000 years old.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice granted sovereignty over the temple region in Cambodia. The decision has become a major irritant in bilateral relations.
Cambodia returned to the Court in 2011, following several clashes between its armed forces and Thai people who killed around 20 people and moved thousands. The court reaffirmed the decision in favor of Cambodia in 2013.
Cambodia again turned to the international court to resolve border disputes, but Thailand rejected the court of the court.
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