Cambodia Condemns Thai Military Action Amid Escalating Border Clashes

Cambodia’s Defence Ministry has condemned what it describes as “reckless and brutal” military aggression from Thailand. The ministry accuses its neighbour of opening fire on Cambodian troops and violating a recent agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions along their shared border. This escalating conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least two civilians and has raised concerns over regional stability.

The Thai military reported that fighting occurred at six locations along the border on March 15, 2024. According to the Thai army, one of its deployed F-16 fighter jets engaged in combat, destroying a military target within Cambodian territory. The Cambodian Defence Ministry stated that Thai fighter jets dropped two bombs on a road, intensifying the already fraught situation.

In a statement, Cambodia declared it “strongly condemns” the actions of Thailand, asserting that they violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia. The Thai military’s use of air power was confirmed by Deputy Spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon, who stated, “We have used air power against military targets as planned.”

The clashes erupted after a diplomatic deterioration between the two nations, which recently saw Thailand recalling its ambassador to Cambodia and announcing plans to expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok. This diplomatic crisis follows an incident where a Thai soldier lost a limb to a landmine in the disputed area, which Thailand claims was recently laid by Cambodian forces.

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have a long history, with disputes over various un-demarcated points along their 817 km border leading to numerous skirmishes over the past century. These conflicts have resulted in at least a dozen fatalities, with a significant exchange of artillery occurring in 2011. Recently, tensions flared again in May 2023, following the death of a Cambodian soldier during a brief gunfire exchange, which ignited the current crisis.

The most recent skirmishes took place near the Ta Moan Thom temple, located approximately 360 km from Bangkok. Sutthirot Charoenthanasak, the district chief of Kabcheing in Thailand’s Surin province, reported that artillery shells from the Cambodian side fell on residential areas. “Two people have died,” he stated, noting that local authorities evacuated around 40,000 residents from 86 villages to safer locations.

Cambodia’s former Prime Minister, Hun Sen, indicated in a Facebook post that two Cambodian provinces had also experienced shelling from the Thai military. On the other hand, Thailand accused Cambodia of placing landmines in the disputed region, a claim that Cambodia firmly denied, attributing the injuries to Thai soldiers to their veering off agreed routes into areas with mines left from decades of conflict.

The humanitarian impact of this ongoing conflict is significant, with the potential for further casualties and displacement. As both nations continue to trade accusations, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to prevent further escalation and to restore peace along the contentious border.