Thailand accused Cambodia of shelling Thai soldiers in Ubon Ratchathani province, resulting in the death of one serviceman. In response, the Thai army carried out airstrikes on military targets.
In a new escalation of the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, the Thai army carried out airstrikes on "military targets" in several regions of the neighboring country. Their aim was military infrastructure, weapon depots, command posts, and logistical routes, said a representative of the Thai army, Winthai Suvari, on Monday, December 8.
According to him, the strikes were a response to actions by Cambodian soldiers who had earlier that same day opened fire on Thai troops in Ubon Ratchathani province. As a result, one soldier of the Royal Thai Army was killed, and four were injured.
Thailand Evacuates Residents from Border Areas
Additionally, Thailand is evacuating more than 385,000 civilians from four border areas, with over 35,000 of them already housed in temporary shelters.
For its part, Cambodia accused the Thai army of attacking its troops in the border provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey. According to a representative of the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, the Thai army also shelled temples with tank artillery, while Cambodia did not return fire.
Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have been disputing a border that stretches over 800 km for more than a century. At the center of the long-standing dispute is the Hindu temple complex of Preah Vihear and the surrounding land in the so-called Emerald Triangle at the junction of the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. The conflict is fueled by unclear border demarcation that has persisted since the colonial era.
The previous escalation of the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia occurred last summer. Initially, the shelling was mainly focused on the northern section of the border, far from the coast and popular seaside resorts in Thailand along the South China Sea. The fighting then moved closer to the popular beach resort of Pattaya. As a result of five days of hostilities, at least 43 people were killed, and around 300,000 became refugees.
Among others, U.S. President Donald Trump called for a ceasefire. At the end of October, Thailand and Cambodia signed a peace agreement mediated by the U.S. aimed at ensuring long-term peace. Thailand suspended the implementation of the peace agreement nearly a month ago after the army reported the injury of two Thai soldiers due to a landmine explosion near the border.
