Breaking! Thailand, Cambodia Clash at Border—What’s Happening?

Reports say Thai military claimed a border clash with Cambodia on July 24.

 

Thailand’s army said Cambodia fired first, sparking conflict. Cambodia’s defense spokesperson confirmed the clash, alleging Thai forces initiated fire, with Cambodian troops exercising self-defense to protect sovereignty.

 

Media reports the clash erupted in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, bordering Thailand’s Surin province.  

 

Thai-Cambodian relations have been tense lately.

 

On July 24, in response to Thailand recalling its ambassador, expelling Cambodia’s ambassador, and downgrading diplomatic ties, Cambodia announced reciprocal measures.  

On July 23, Thailand cited a landmine incident to lower diplomatic relations, a claim Cambodia called baseless and fabricated to shift blame.

 

Cambodia retaliated by reducing ties to chargé d’affaires level, recalling non-essential diplomats, and ordering Thai diplomats to leave.  

 

Thailand’s acting PM Phuttharaksa said a soldier lost a leg to a landmine during patrol, prompting closure of border checkpoints, a travel ban, ambassador recall, and Cambodian ambassador expulsion, with further assessments pending.

 

Phuttharaksa ordered a protest note to Cambodia, noting new landmines as evidence for escalated countermeasures.  

 

Earlier, on June 7, PM Hun Manet called for International Court resolution of border issues peacefully.

 

He pledged cooperation via the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission for demarcation and maintaining relations to benefit citizens, while Thailand’s Foreign Ministry claimed efforts to ease tensions post-May clashes.