Thailand conducted airstrikes along the disputed border with Cambodia on Monday, challenging the peace agreement endorsed by US President Donald Trump a few weeks earlier. The two countries accused each other of breaching a ceasefire that temporarily halted hostilities following a conflict in July that resulted in casualties. Tensions persisted despite Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal in October.
Thailand’s defense ministry reported that over 35,000 individuals evacuated border areas to emergency shelters, with more seeking refuge elsewhere. Cambodia’s Information Minister confirmed the relocation of residents from border villages to safe locations.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized the necessity of armed action to protect the nation and ensure public safety, stating that Thailand never seeks violence but will defend its sovereignty.
A dispute arose in early November when Thai soldiers were injured by landmines, prompting Thailand to suspend the ceasefire implementation indefinitely. Both countries continued to dispute responsibility for the conflict, even as they collaborated on clearing explosive devices.
Despite Trump’s intervention to maintain the ceasefire, clashes resumed on Sunday with both sides accusing each other of initiating the violence. Thai military officials reported casualties among their soldiers, prompting a retaliatory response. Cambodia denied provoking the conflict.
On Monday, Thai forces claimed that Cambodian troops initiated attacks, resulting in casualties on the Thai side. Thailand deployed aircraft to target military sites in response to Cambodian fire.
Cambodia countered that Thai forces instigated the conflict and urged Thailand to cease hostilities to preserve regional peace and stability. Malaysia’s Prime Minister also called for calm, expressing readiness to help prevent further escalation.
Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of territorial disputes stemming from a map created in 1907 during Cambodia’s colonial period under French rule. The ceasefire failed to address the core issue of border demarcation disagreements.
The enduring conflict is rooted in disagreements over the precise border location, exacerbated by historical tensions dating back to rival empires.