BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH: Thailand’s military launched a new offensive against Cambodia on Sunday, escalating violence along their long-disputed border, despite recent mediation efforts including those by US President Donald Trump.
The conflict stems from a decades-old dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 817-kilometre (508-mile) shared border.
Fighting this year has killed at least 25 soldiers and civilians and displaced over 500,000 people on both sides.
According to Matichon Online, Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, a Royal Thai Navy spokesman, said Thai forces “launched a military operation to reclaim Thai sovereign territory” in the coastal province of Trat.
“The operation began in the early morning hours with heavy clashes, conducted under the principles of self-defence according to international law and the preservation of national sovereignty,” he said.
Thai authorities said they “successfully controlled and reclaimed the area, expelling all opposing forces,” and planted the Thai national flag there, according to Thai PBS.
Thailand’s TV 3 Morning News reported that army, navy, and air force operations continued along the border, with sporadic clashes in Surin’s Ta Khwai area, including drone attacks.
Cambodian response
Cambodian media outlet Cambodianess reported attacks in at least seven areas, including Pursat province, where Thai fighter jets allegedly dropped bombs in Thma Da commune.
Thai artillery was also reportedly fired into Boeung Trakoun village in Banteay Meanchey province, Al Jazeera reported.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence has accused Thailand of sharing “completely fake and distorted” information and labelled photos from Thai sources as “Fake News,” urging Thailand to stop disseminating misleading reports.
Border closure and Martial Law
In response to the fighting, Cambodia announced late on Saturday that all crossings with Thailand were suspended indefinitely.
The Ministry of Interior said the shutdown was “effective immediately and until further notice.”
Thailand imposed a curfew in five districts of Trat province, excluding tourist islands Koh Chang and Koh Kood, according to Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri.
Martial law has been enforced in eastern districts, authorising detention or searches of people, vehicles, or structures deemed security threats.
Kongsiri said Thai forces had destroyed a bridge used by Cambodia to transport heavy weapons and launched operations against pre-positioned artillery in Koh Kong province.
He emphasised Thailand remained open to a diplomatic solution but said, “Cambodia has to cease hostility first before we can negotiate.”
Ceasefire efforts falter
The renewed clashes come days after Trump claimed he had secured a new ceasefire between the countries.
Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, however, rejected the claim, pledging to continue operations.
“Overall, there have been clashes continuously” since Cambodia reiterated its willingness for a ceasefire, Kongsiri said. “Thailand is open to diplomacy, but Cambodia must stop hostility first.”
Cambodia has not commented directly on Trump’s ceasefire claim but confirmed Thai airstrikes on Saturday morning.
The renewed violence follows a December 7 skirmish that wounded two Thai soldiers, derailing a July ceasefire brokered by Malaysia with Trump’s mediation.
