Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes Kill 14, Displace 100,000

 

Airstrikes and artillery fire mark worst confrontation in over a decade as both nations expel ambassadors

Fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces has killed at least 14 people and forced over 100,000 civilians to flee their homes since Thursday. The violence, involving small arms, rockets, artillery, and airstrikes along the disputed border, represents the most serious confrontation between the Southeast Asian neighbors in more than ten years, according to Thai authorities.

The escalation began after a landmine blast Wednesday wounded five Thai soldiers, triggering a rapid deterioration in relations. Both countries expelled each other's ambassadors as accusations flew over responsibility for the incident. Thai officials blamed newly-laid Russian-made mines, while Cambodia dismissed these as "baseless accusations," attributing the blast to leftover ordnance from previous conflicts.

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By Thursday, clashes had spread to at least six areas along the border, including near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple. Thai F-16 fighter jets conducted airstrikes in what officials called acts of self-defense against Cambodian truck-mounted rocket attacks.

"We urge the Cambodian government to immediately halt these war criminal actions, and return to respecting the principles of peaceful coexistence," said Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, who confirmed 14 deaths including 13 civilians and one soldier, with 46 injured. He condemned alleged Cambodian attacks on civilians and a hospital.

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The Thai Interior Ministry ordered evacuations within 50 kilometers of the border, affecting four provinces. Over 106,000 people have been moved to shelters as families fled the violence. In Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, residents transported belongings on makeshift tractors to temporary camps.

"Suddenly I heard a loud noise," recounted Tep Savouen, a 45-year-old mother of four. "My son told me it might be thunder and I thought 'Is it thunder or is it loud, more like a gun?' At that time I was very scared."

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Cambodia's Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata defended their actions: "Cambodia had no choice but to defend its territory against Thai threats," insisting attacks were "focused on the military places, not on any other place."

The conflict has drawn international alarm. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to "exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue," according to deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested an emergency UN Security Council session, held behind closed doors Friday in New York.

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Thailand has sealed all land border crossings and advised citizens to leave Cambodia, with seven Thai airlines offering repatriation assistance. The crisis adds pressure to Thailand's domestic politics, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended July 1 amid an ethics probe. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai now leads the response, warning Cambodia against further aggression.

The Thailand-Cambodia border has been a source of tension for decades, with disputes over territory and ancient temples. The most notable conflict centers on the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that Cambodia claims as a "historical legacy of the Cambodian people." Previous clashes in 2008 and 2011 resulted in dozens of deaths and temporary military buildups.

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Fighting continues along multiple border points as diplomatic channels remain severed. With ambassadors expelled and border crossings closed, immediate de-escalation appears unlikely. The UN Security Council's emergency session signals growing international concern about regional stability. Military analysts warn that without rapid diplomatic intervention, the conflict could expand beyond current zones, potentially drawing in regional powers and destabilizing Southeast Asian security arrangements.

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