Post by : Samir
Qureshi
Bangkok: Tensions flared once again at the Thailand-Cambodia border on Wednesday as fresh clashes erupted between Thai soldiers and Cambodian civilians. Both countries accused each other of crossing into disputed areas, reigniting a long-standing conflict over border territories.
According to reports, more than 20 Cambodian nationals were injured during the incident. Cambodia’s Information Minister, Neth Pheaktra, claimed that Thai soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Cambodian civilians and even used loud noise-making devices to intimidate the crowd.
The Thai Military, on the other hand, stated that around 200 Cambodian civilians had gathered near the border to protest the installation of barbed wire in Sa Kaeo province. The Thai authorities described the protest as a violation of the ceasefire agreement, saying, “Cambodians entered Thai soil without permission, and Cambodian officials did not stop them. This was a provocation.”
A video of the clashes has circulated online, showing chaotic scenes. Thai soldiers can be seen firing tear gas toward Cambodian civilians, who reportedly threw the gas canisters back. The visuals highlight the growing tension and the scale of the confrontation on the border.
The recent clashes mark the first major incident since a ceasefire was agreed upon in August of this year. Earlier, in July, armed clashes had broken out in at least six different border areas, following the killing of a Cambodian soldier in May. These events underline the fragile nature of peace along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
The border dispute between the two countries has deep historical roots. Thailand and Cambodia share over 800 kilometers of land border, and disagreements over specific territories have persisted for decades. The conflict largely traces back to a map drawn in 1907 under French colonial rule, which Cambodia uses to claim certain territories while Thailand disputes the accuracy of the map.
One of the most sensitive areas is the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple. In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty over the temple to Cambodia, a ruling that has remained a source of tension between the nations. Following several clashes that resulted in about 20 deaths and the displacement of thousands, Cambodia returned to the court in 2011. The court reaffirmed Cambodia’s claim over the area in 2013, but disputes over the surrounding border regions continue.
The recent border incident serves as a reminder of the unresolved issues between Thailand and Cambodia. With both sides holding firm on their claims, tensions along this historically disputed border remain high, and the potential for further clashes cannot be ruled out.
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