12 dead as Thailand-Cambodia border dispute reignites | World | News

A video being shared on social media platform X appears to show the chaotic scene at a gas station in Thailand which was on fire with thick black smoke billowing into the sky since border tensions with the country’s neighbour Cambodia escalated into military conflict on Wednesday.

The footage shows how police attempted to manage the scene while onlookers fled the fire that raged inside the premises with one person even appearing to run towards the blaze.

So far, 12 people have sadly been killed in Thailand after a decades old border conflict with Cambodia gained new traction on Thursday, leading to a huge escalation of the animosity simmering between the neighbouring nations. 

Of the 12 Thai nationals that were killed, most of them were civilians, however it is currently unknown how many – if any – lives have been lost on the Cambodian side. 

With tensions now at breaking point, neither side is willing to take responsibility for the escalation, with both Cambodia and Thai authorities blaming each other for the conflict which descended into gunfire over the border. 

Thailand then accused Cambodia of firing rockets over into it’s territory, while Bangkok reportedly also carried out air strikes on Cambodian military targets.

Why are Cambodia and Thailand fighting?

While things have escalated in recent hours, the original conflict between the two countries is far from new, with the main dispute dating back over a century, to when the borders of the two nations were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia.

Up until 2008, the disagreement had been relatively contained, but things took on a more hostile edge that year, when Cambodia attempted to register an 11th Century temple located in the disputed area between the countries as a Unesco World Heritage Site – a moved which sparked widespread protests from Thailand. 

Since then, over the last 17 years multiple small skirmishes have continued to simmer in the background, with multiple casualties – both military and civilian – being reported on both sides. 

The latest tensions ramped up in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in one such clash, a move which sent diplomatic ties between the two countries plummeting to their lowest point in over a decade.

In response to the situation, over the past two months both countries have imposed border restrictions on each other, with Cambodia banning imports from Thailand, while also stopping the import of power and internet services. 

An increased military presence has also been established on both sides of the border.

What exactly happened on Thursday?

Both sides have shared details of their version of events as to what transpired on Thursday to spark the lethal gunfire which claimed 12 lives. 

According to Thailand’s National Security Council, they claim that  just after 07:30 local time (00:30GMT) Cambodia’s military deployed drones to conduct surveillance of Thai troops near the border.

Shortly afterwards, Cambodian military personnel allegedly carrying rocket-propelled grenades then began to gather near the border. 

Thai soldiers then attempted negotiations by shouting, but were unsuccessful, an NSC spokesman revealed, adding that Cambodian soldiers opened fire at around 08:20, forcing the Thai side to retaliate.

Thailand also went on to accuse Cambodia of deploying heavy weapons, including BM-21 rocket launchers and artillery, which they say has caused significant damage to homes and public facilities on the Thai side of the border including a hospital. 

Cambodia meanwhile, has a different version of events and claims that Thai soldiers initiated the conflict at around 06:30, when they violated a prior agreement by advancing on a Khmer-Hindu temple. According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence, Thai soldiers placed barbed wire around it’s base near the border, and deployed a drone shortly after 7am. They then fired shots “into the air” at around 8:30am.

Just 16 minutes later at 8:16am, Thai soldiers allegedly “pre-emptively” opened fire on Cambodian troops leaving them with no option but to defend themselves, according to the Phnom Penh Post newspaper.

The Ministry also accused Thailand of deploying excessive troops, using heavy weapons and carrying out air strikes on Cambodian territory.

Will things escalate into a full blown war?

Although the conflict has been running now for many years, it seems unlikely that it will progress into a full scale war, based on comments made by both countries. 

Thailand’s acting premier Phumtham Wechayachai remarked that the situation remains “delicate”, and stated that it must be addressed with care and in keeping with international law. 

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet meanwhile said that his country is keen to resolve the dispute peacefully but insisted that it had been given “no choice” but to “respond with armed force against armed aggression”.

In the past, many of the escalations have been short-lived and usually de-escalated just as quickly, something which seems likely to happen again this time. 

Is it still safe to visit?

Both Cambodia and Thailand are hugely popular with British travellers, particularly young people undertaking gap years, but while the conflict is ongoing at the present time it is very localised to a single area, and shouldn’t pose too much of an issue to travellers heading to tourist hotspots like Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, or Phnom Penh.

At the time of writing, the British Foreign Office has not issued any specific travel advisory to avoid either nation completely, however it has advised against all but essential travel to within 50km of the border from Cambodia in the provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani

All land borders/crossings between Thailand and Cambodia have been suspended. Some tourist destinations in border areas such as the Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai/Ta Krabey temple and the Ta Muen Thom/Tamone Thom temple are currently closed.

There are also unexploded landmines in the border area.