Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia broke out on Thursday claiming the lives at least nine civilians in Thailand, as long-standing tensions in disputed border areas flare up.
Clashes started early on Thursday morning close to the historic Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, which is situated along the border between Oddar Meanchey in Cambodia and the Surin province in Thailand.
The entire border between the two nations has since been sealed off.
Additional fights were reported along the border between Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, as well as close to the Prasat Ta Krabey site.
Both sides are accusing the other of starting the clash on Thursday, but why are they fighting in the first place?
Why are Cambodia and Thailand fighting?
The neighbouring countries have traditionally experienced sporadic hostilities due to border issues. The land border between Thailand and Cambodia is more than 800 kilometres long.
The French colonial rulers' 1907 map, which was used to divide Cambodia from Thailand, is the root cause of the tensions. Thailand has claimed the map is erroneous, while Cambodia has been using it as a reference to assert territorial claims.
The most prominent conflicts have been around the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple. Cambodia was granted authority over the ancient temple by the International Court of Justice in 1962.
After multiple clashes between its army and Thai forces, which left thousands displaced and approximately 20 dead over the area, Cambodia returned to the court in 2011. In 2013, the court maintained its decision, which shocked Thailand.
Brief timeline of Cambodia-Thailand conflict
1907 - The border disputes date back to a map made in 1907, when Cambodia was a French colony. The map served as the foundation for Cambodia's claims to specific areas of the border, but Thailand disputed it due to its lack of clarity, which resulted in differing interpretations.
1962 - Cambodia was granted authority over the ancient temple by the International Court of Justice in 1962.
2008-11 - Military fighting goes on continuously over a jungle border area. Each side blamed the other for starting and prolonging the fighting. A ceasefire was declared in 2011 after heavy seven days of fighting, which killed at least 15 people and displaced tens of thousands of civilians.
May 28, 2025 - The border dispute reignites and a Cambodian soldier is killed.
June 15, 2025 - Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has a phone call with Hun Sen, the de facto leader of Cambodia. The purpose of the call was to ease tensions between the two nations.
July 23, 2025 - In a land mine explosion, a Thai soldier lost his right leg. Thailand said that it would recall its ambassador to Cambodia and dismiss Cambodia's ambassador, thereby downgrading diplomatic ties with Cambodia.
The conflict escalated in May of this year when the military forces of Thailand and Cambodia exchanged brief gunfire in a small area that both nations claim as their own, killing one Cambodian soldier.
Both parties have said that their actions were self-defence.
Despite later claims that they had reached an agreement to defuse the situation, authorities from Thailand and Cambodia kept tensions high by threatening or implementing non-armed force measures against one another. Thailand tightened border controls, preventing Thai casino employees and visitors from entering Cambodia and limiting crossing times. Meanwhile, Cambodia prohibited Thai films and television series, halted Thai produce imports, and boycotted its neighbour's power supplies and worldwide internet connections.
Earlier this week, tensions skyrocketed when Thailand accused Cambodia of placing fresh landmines in disputed territory. The accusation was made after a Thai soldier suffered his second limb loss in a week due to a landmine explosion.
Bangkok subsequently declared late on Wednesday that Cambodia's envoy had been expelled and withdrew its ambassador from Phnom Penh.
But by Thursday morning, the conflict heightened when the Thai military used air power. Its six F-16 fighter jets, which were positioned close to the border, attacked and destroyed what Thai officials said was a military target in Cambodia.
Colonel Richa Suksuwanon, deputy spokesperson for the Thai army, said. “We have used air power against military targets as planned.”
Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, asserted that Thailand had repeatedly targeted Cambodian military installations.
Mr Hun said: “Cambodia has always maintained a position of peaceful resolution of problems, but in this case, we have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression.”
