At least 12 Thai nationals, 11 of whom were civilians, were killed today in clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces along a disputed stretch of their shared border. Cambodia is accused of launching a missile strike on a Thai village and attacking a hospital, while Thailand is accused of carrying out airstrikes on Cambodian military targets. Both countries blame each other for starting the hostilities.
In response, Thailand has shut its entire border with Cambodia and urged all its citizens to leave the country, while Cambodia downgraded its diplomatic relations with Bangkok, accusing it of “excessive use of force.”
The dispute dates back to the 1907 border demarcation imposed by French colonial authorities, which Cambodia recognizes but Thailand does not.
This marks a new escalation in a century-old territorial conflict between the two countries, reignited in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a contested area.
The two nations share an 800-kilometer border, with disputes stemming from a 1907 colonial-era map drawn by the French to separate Cambodia from Thailand. Cambodia cites the map to claim territory, while Thailand argues it is inaccurate. Historically, the most intense and violent clashes have occurred near the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple.
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