Key points
- Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed in several areas along their borders
- Border disputes are long-standing issues that have caused periodic tensions between the two sides
- Thailand and Cambodia share more than 800 km of land border
ISLAMABAD: Armed clashes have broken out between Thailand and Cambodia in long-disputed border areas, rapidly escalating months-long tensions.
AP reported that the fighting included gunfire exchanges, shelling, and rocket fire, which have killed at least 14 people in Thailand and one in Cambodia and wounded dozens, while driving tens of thousands of people to flee homes near the border. Thailand also hit Cambodia with air strikes.
It was the second armed confrontation since a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in May and a major escalation that came hours after the two countries downgraded diplomatic relations following a land mine explosion that injured Thai soldiers, AP reported on July 25.
Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed in several areas along their borders. The fighting broke out on July 24 near the Ta Muen Thom temple, following several months of escalating tensions.
Here’s what to know about the dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
How the dispute began
AP reported that the dispute flared in May after armed forces of Thailand and Cambodia briefly fired at each other in a relatively small, contested border area that each country claims as its own.
Both sides claimed they acted in self-defence. One Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed.
While the countries said afterwards they agreed to de-escalate the situation, Cambodian and Thai authorities continued to implement or threaten measures short of armed force, keeping tensions high, according to AP.
Border claims cause periodic tensions
Border disputes are long-standing issues that have caused periodic tensions between the two countries. Thailand and Cambodia share more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) of land border, AP reported.
The contesting claims stem largely from a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule that was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand. Cambodia has been using the map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand has argued the map is inaccurate, AP reported.
The most prominent and violent conflicts have been around the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded sovereignty over the temple area to Cambodia.
Cambodia went back to the court in 2011, following several clashes between its army and Thai forces that killed about 20 people and displaced thousands. The court reaffirmed the ruling in Cambodia’s favor in 2013.
Cambodia has again turned to the international court to resolve the border disputes, but Thailand has rejected the court’s jurisdiction, according to AP.
