Thailand announced on Tuesday that it had launched operations to drive Cambodian forces out of what it says is Thai territory, as fresh clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours spread across their disputed border.
Both countries have accused each other of provoking the latest round of violence, which has shattered a fragile ceasefire brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump that halted five days of fighting in July.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry reported that two civilians were killed overnight, raising its total death toll to six. Thailand has recorded one soldier killed in the conflict.
In a statement, the Thai Navy said Cambodian troops had been detected inside Thai territory in the coastal province of Trat, prompting military action to expel them. No additional details were provided.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet warned late on Monday that Thailand “must not use military force to attack civilian villages under the pretext of reclaiming its sovereignty.”
Cambodia earlier said its forces had exercised restraint and did not retaliate despite facing continuous attacks.
According to the Thai Navy, Cambodian troops have increased their presence, deploying snipers and heavy weaponry, strengthening defensive positions, and digging trenches. The Navy labelled these moves “a direct and serious threat to Thailand’s sovereignty.”
Monday’s fighting was the most intense since July’s deadly five-day exchange of rockets and artillery, which killed at least 48 people and displaced more than 300,000 before a ceasefire was secured.
Thailand evacuated 438,000 civilians from five border provinces, while Cambodian authorities said hundreds of thousands were also moved to safer areas.
Thai officials reported that 18 soldiers were wounded, while Cambodia said nine civilians had been injured.
Thailand and Cambodia have disputed ownership of several undemarcated areas along their 817-kilometre land border for more than a century. Tensions over ancient temples have repeatedly triggered nationalist sentiment and sporadic violence, including a deadly week-long artillery battle in 2011.
Relations deteriorated further in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a skirmish, leading both sides to reinforce troops along the border and setting the stage for the renewed diplomatic and military confrontations now unfolding.
