Why Thailand and Cambodia are fighting again as ceasefire collapses
Southeast Asian neighbours resume clashes along disputed border as Donald Trump vows to stop war
Thailand and Cambodia are again fighting along their disputed border while accusing each other of targeting civilians and violating a fragile truce.
The conflict flared on Monday after months of rising tensions along the 817km frontier, triggering artillery duels, air strikes and mass evacuations.
Fighting erupted despite a ceasefire that was arranged in July after five days of intense combat that killed at least 48 people and displaced more than 100,000 civilians.
The renewed violence drew attention from US president Donald Trump, who told supporters at a rally in Pennsylvania that he planned to call both sides to stop the war after claiming credit for helping broker the earlier truce.
“Who else could say I'm going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia,” he boasted.
Asked about the possibility of Mr Trump stepping in again, Cambodian government spokesperson Pen Bona said Phnom Penh sought only peace.
A spokesperson for the Thai government said he was unaware of any contact with Mr Trump since the prime minister was in the parliament.
What is the conflict about?
The latest conflict erupted in May when the armed forces of Thailand and Cambodia briefly fired at each other in a relatively small “no man’s land” claimed by both countries.
Both sides said they acted in self defence after a Cambodian soldier was killed.
Although Cambodia and Thailand said afterwards that they had agreed to de-escalate the situation, their officials continued to implement or threaten measures short of armed force at each other, keeping tensions high.
Thailand added restrictions at the border, limiting crossing times and barring casino tourists and workers from crossing into the neighbouring country.
Cambodia banned Thai movies and TV shows, stopped the import of fruits and vegetables and boycotted its neighbour's international internet links and power supply.
That uneasy calm collapsed in July and was restored after five days of intense clashes.
Five months on, fighting is raging again.
Thailand accused Cambodia of firing rockets near a hospital in Surin province, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff. It also said Cambodian drones, tanks and rocket fire hit several points along the frontier, including areas near the contested Preah Vihear temple complex.
“Our forces destroyed an anti-drone position to the south of Chong Chom in order to support operations to clear Cambodian elements in a mango plantation that has been planted across the line of operations,” the Thai military said.
Cambodia alleged that the Thai military launched artillery strikes and drone attacks in Pursat province, dropped mortars on civilian homes in Battambang, and sent F-16 fighter jets across the border to bomb populated areas. The defence ministry said nine civilians had been killed and 20 seriously injured since Monday.
Thailand reported four soldiers dead and 68 wounded.
The clashes forced Cambodia to withdraw its athletes from the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, citing concerns about their safety.
How long have the two fought over land?
Border disputes have long caused periodic tensions between the Southeast Asian neighbours. The contesting claims have stemmed largely from a 1907 map drawn up by French colonial rulers that was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand.
Cambodia has been using the map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand has been arguing its accuracy.
In 1962, a landmark International Court of Justice ruling had awarded sovereignty over the area to Cambodia, with Thailand angrily rejecting the decision and disputing it ever since.
Cambodia went back to the court in 2011, following a series of clashes between its army and Thai forces which had killed about 20 people and displaced thousands.
The court reaffirmed the ruling in 2013, a decision that once again rattled Thailand.
In February, Cambodian troops and their family members entered the ancient Preah Vihear temple in one of the disputed areas and sang the national anthem, leading to a brief argument with Thai troops.
How are their militaries engaging now?
Both sides insist the other fired first at the beginning of this week. Thailand has authorised continued military operations “as planned earlier”, with prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul saying “we've got to do what we've got to do”.
“The government will support all kinds of military operations as planned earlier.”
Cambodia has said it held back initially on Monday but later began to retaliate.
“Cambodia wants peace, but Cambodia is forced to fight back to defend its territory,” Hun Sen, the influential former leader and father of prime minister Hun Manet, said on Facebook and Telegram.
Thailand carried out air strikes along the border on Monday which it described as defensive missions against military installations. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri said such operations would continue “until attacks stop”.
Both governments said they had moved large numbers of civilians away from the frontier. Thailand has set up almost 500 temporary shelters hosting more than 125,000 people. Cambodia says it has evacuated about 55,000 people.
What happened to the ceasefire?
The July ceasefire was pushed through by Malaysia and influenced by Mr Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless the two countries agreed to stop fighting.
But little of that agreement was implemented. Washington had urged both sides to remove heavy weapons, clear landmines and improve cooperation but they continued to trade allegations of landmine use, airspace violations and prisoner mistreatment.
Thailand suspended parts of the de-escalation plan last month after a Thai soldier was maimed by what it said was a newly planted Cambodian landmine. Cambodia denied laying new mines, saying the unexploded devices were remnants of its civil war, which ended in 1999.
What happens next?
Negotiations remain elusive. Cambodia said it was ready to talk at any time, but Thailand’s foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the situation was “not conducive” for mediation.
Acting Thai prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Bangkok doubted the neighbour’s sincerity.
“Cambodia has violated international law, but everybody wants to see peace. Nobody wants to see violence that affects civilians,” he said.
With both armies mobilised, a heated propaganda battle underway, and political instability in Bangkok, analysts warn the crisis may deepen before diplomacy takes hold.