Thailand and Cambodia clash with jets and rockets in deadly border conflict

Escalation of Tensions Between Thailand and Cambodia

Thailand and Cambodia experienced their most intense military clashes in over a decade on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 individuals. The conflict involved tanks, artillery, and ground forces as both nations fought for control of a disputed border area known as the Emerald Triangle. This region, where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge, has long been a point of contention between the two neighboring countries.

The recent violence marks a significant escalation in an ongoing dispute that has seen periodic flare-ups over the years. More than 15 years ago, the conflict turned deadly, and again in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a firefight. Now, the situation has taken a dangerous turn, with both sides exchanging fire and engaging in aerial bombardments.

According to reports, Cambodia launched rockets and artillery into Thai territory, prompting the Thai military to deploy F-16 jets for air strikes. The Thai public health ministry confirmed that one soldier and at least 11 civilians were killed, with many of the casualties occurring in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province. Footage from the scene showed smoke rising from a convenience store attached to the petrol station, and local officials indicated that most of the victims were students who had been inside the shop at the time.

Praphas Intaracheun, a 53-year-old gardener from Sisaket, described the chaos he witnessed. He was refueling at another petrol station just 300 meters away when he heard multiple loud explosions. “I’m scared it might escalate during the night when you can’t see anything. I don’t even dare sleep,” he said.

Thailand reported that 35 people have been wounded in the attacks, and accused Cambodia of deliberately targeting civilian buildings. A hospital in Phanom Dong Rak, Surin province, located just 15 kilometers from the border, was struck by shells, causing damage to windows and part of the roof. This facility had also been hit during the last major clash between the two countries in 2011. As a precaution, the hospital was partially evacuated on Wednesday night.

“We got a tip that there would be an attack from Cambodia,” a soldier stationed at the entrance told reporters. “There is no telling when it will be safe enough for patients to return.”

Escalating Conflict and Civilian Impact

Fighting was concentrated in six locations, according to the Thai army, with ground troops and tanks engaged in combat with Cambodian forces. Six Thai air force jets were deployed, striking two "Cambodian military targets on the ground," as stated by Thai military deputy spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon.

Cambodia has not yet provided details on casualties on its side. Defense ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata declined to comment when asked about the issue during a news conference.

Journalists from DISCOVER TREND met with Cambodians fleeing their villages near the Thai border to escape the fighting. Say Vuthy, a 36-year-old resident, shared his fear: “We dare not to stay, they were fighting so bad that my house was shaking. We already dug a bunker but we dared not stay because we were scared that they will keep fighting at night.”

Both sides blame each other for starting the fighting, which occurred near two temples on the border. In response to the escalating tensions, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to address the deadly clashes, according to diplomatic sources.

Diplomatic Reactions and Political Implications

Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh has urged its nationals to leave Cambodia as soon as possible. The European Union and China, a close ally of Phnom Penh, expressed concern over the clashes and called for dialogue. The United States and France, Cambodia’s former colonial ruler, also called for an immediate halt to the fighting and for talks to begin.

The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy following an incident where five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine. In response, Cambodia downgraded its diplomatic ties to the lowest level, removing all but one of its diplomats and expelling Thai representatives from Phnom Penh.

The border dispute has also triggered a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office pending an ethics investigation. A leaked diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime leader and father of current Prime Minister Hun Manet, sparked a judicial investigation.

This latest escalation highlights the deep-seated tensions between the two nations and underscores the need for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing border dispute.