In a fresh flare-up of a long-running border row, Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire on Thursday near the ancient Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples. Each side accused the other of firing the first shot in the disputed zone, marking the latest twist in a decades-old stalemate over boundary lines.
More than two dozen shells landed across the frontier, officials say, as tensions flared between Cambodia’s Defense Ministry and the Thai army. Both sides say they acted in self-defense after an unprovoked attack.
What Cambodia Says
A spokesperson for Cambodia’s Defense Ministry described an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops into two provinces. Cambodian forces returned fire to protect local communities. Former leader Samdech Techo Hun Sen took to social media to urge calm and to reassure residents that the military would stand guard.
What Thailand Says
The Thai military said Cambodian forces opened fire near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, sending in a surveillance drone before launching heavy-weapons strikes. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai called for restraint and stressed that any resolution must align with international law.
Diplomatic Downgrade
The clashes came as Bangkok recalled its ambassador and moved to expel Phnom Penh’s envoy. Cambodia responded by withdrawing all diplomatic staff from Thailand and downgrading ties to their lowest level. The flare-up followed a second Thai soldier in a week losing a limb to a landmine in the contested area—a claim Cambodia labels unfounded.
With sacred temples, historical claims and national pride intertwined, the Cambodia-Thailand border remains a volatile flashpoint. As locals brace for more volatility, regional observers warn that the dispute could test Southeast Asia’s delicate equilibrium.
Reference(s):
Cambodia, Thailand exchange fire at border: What we know so far
cgtn.com
