Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia reached a boiling point on Thursday as soldiers from both countries exchanged gunfire across multiple disputed border areas, injuring at least three civilians.
The clashes occurred a day after both nations downgraded diplomatic ties, with embassies recalling staff and ambassadors being expelled.
A livestream from Thailand’s Surin province showed residents fleeing their homes and taking shelter in concrete bunkers as explosions echoed in the background. Hostilities reportedly continued throughout the day across several locations.
The first armed encounter was reported near the ancient Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, situated on the Thailand-Cambodia border between Surin and Oddar Meanchey provinces. Both sides blamed each other for initiating the violence.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of launching attacks on Cambodian military positions at both Prasat Ta Moan Thom and Prasat Ta Krabey, later extending to areas near Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani.
"Cambodia has always favored peaceful resolution, but we had no choice but to respond militarily to this armed aggression," Hun Manet stated.
Thailand’s army said three civilians were injured when artillery shells fired from Cambodia hit a residential area in Surin province. The army also reported that local residents were promptly evacuated for safety.
The latest confrontation follows Cambodia’s announcement Thursday morning to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level.
Cambodia expelled the Thai ambassador and recalled its embassy staff from Bangkok. The move came in response to Thailand’s earlier closure of border crossings, withdrawal of its ambassador, and expulsion of Cambodia’s ambassador, which were reactions to a landmine explosion that injured five Thai soldiers on Wednesday.
Tensions have been mounting since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish over another disputed area.
Thailand’s military said Thursday’s confrontation began when a drone was spotted, followed by six armed Cambodian soldiers approaching the Thai position. Thai troops claimed they attempted verbal warnings before Cambodian forces opened fire.
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry denied initiating the clash, asserting it acted in self-defense against a Thai incursion into Cambodian territory.
British F-35 Jet leaves India after month-long stay, memes fly high
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen called for calm via Facebook, urging citizens to trust the government and military. Meanwhile, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh warned of potential further escalations and advised Thai nationals to leave Cambodia or avoid travel there unless necessary.
Landmine incidents have worsened the situation in recent weeks. On Wednesday, five Thai soldiers were wounded—one losing a leg—after triggering a landmine near the border.
A similar blast last week injured three soldiers, one of whom lost a foot. Thai officials claim the mines were newly planted and not of Thai origin, alleging they were Russian-made. Cambodia dismissed these claims as “baseless,” citing leftover unexploded ordnance from past conflicts.
Nationalist sentiment in both countries has intensified the crisis. Thailand’s prime minister was suspended from office on July 1 amid an ethics investigation tied to her handling of the dispute.
Border disputes between the two neighbors have a long history, with frequent flare-ups around contested sites. One of the most contentious areas is the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
Although the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty over the temple to Cambodia in 1962 and reaffirmed that ruling in 2013, the decision remains a source of tension in Thai-Cambodian relations.