THAI AND CAMBODIAN TROOPS EXCHANGE FIRE AT DISPUTED BORDER
Tensions flared once again at the long-contested border between Thailand and Cambodia as troops from both nations exchanged gunfire on Wednesday, leaving at least three soldiers dead and several others wounded. The skirmish erupted near the Preah Vihear Temple, a centuries-old Hindu shrine that has been at the heart of a territorial dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors for decades.
According to military officials from both countries, the clash began when Thai patrol units allegedly crossed into what Cambodian forces considered sovereign territory near the temple compound. Cambodian troops responded with warning shots, which escalated into a brief but intense firefight that lasted approximately 45 minutes.
The Thai Ministry of Defense confirmed the death of two Thai soldiers and injuries to four others. Cambodia reported one soldier killed and three injured on its side. Civilians in nearby villages were evacuated as tensions threatened to boil over into a wider conflict.
The Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has long been a symbol of both cultural pride and political friction. Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that the temple lies within Cambodian territory, ambiguity surrounding the adjacent land has led to repeated clashes. The most serious occurred between 2008 and 2011, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands of displaced villagers.
Officials in Phnom Penh blamed Thailand for the latest violence. “This is a clear violation of Cambodian sovereignty,” said General Chea Dara of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. “We exercised maximum restraint, but we will defend our territory if provoked.”
Thailand, however, accused Cambodian troops of initiating the confrontation. Thai army spokesperson Colonel Natthapol Boonngam claimed that Thai soldiers were conducting a routine patrol on their side of the border and were ambushed without warning. “We call for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomatic dialogue,” he added.
Both governments have since issued statements pledging to avoid further conflict and to seek resolution through peaceful means. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reportedly held a phone call to express regret over the incident and agreed to dispatch envoys for emergency border talks. ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has also called for calm and offered to mediate.
Local communities along the border remain on high alert, with schools closed and security tightened. Farmers and traders, many of whom rely on cross-border commerce, fear the renewed hostilities could disrupt their livelihoods.
International observers warn that while Wednesday’s clash appears to have been localized, it underscores the fragility of the border peace and the lingering nationalist sentiments that can quickly escalate into violence. Analysts say both sides need to commit to joint demarcation efforts and trust-building initiatives, including joint military exercises and cross-border development programs.
As the region watches closely, the international community hopes the two nations can avoid repeating the bloodshed of the past and instead work toward a permanent, peaceful resolution to their long-standing dispute.