Violent skirmishes erupt near the disputed Emerald Triangle region as diplomatic ties fray
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have reached a boiling point as violent border clashes prompted Thailand to shut down its frontier with its neighbour.
Troops stationed along the disputed boundary have reportedly been locked in exchanges of gunfire since the early hours of the morning. While both sides continue to deny initiating the conflict, the situation has rapidly spiralled into a full-scale military standoff.
Rocket Attack Injures Civilians in Thailand
According to Thai authorities, Cambodia is suspected of launching two BM-21 rocket attacks, which struck civilian areas in Thailand’s Kap Choeng district.
Three Thai civilians were injured in the assault, with reports suggesting at least one civilian has died as a result. In a swift retaliatory move, the Thai Air Force deployed six F-16 fighter jets, targeting military installations in Cambodia.
The airstrikes were reportedly directed at the Special Military Region Commands 8 and 9.
Cambodian Defence Ministry Condemns Thai Retaliation
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense responded fiercely to Thailand’s military response, issuing a strongly worded statement to the Khmer Times.
It labelled Thailand’s actions as “brutal and illegal military aggression” and “a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter, ASEAN norms, and core principles of international law.”
The statement further warned: “These unlawful and irresponsible actions not only pose a grave threat to regional peace and stability but also undermine the foundation of international order.”
Mounting Tensions Over Disputed Territory
The latest outbreak of violence follows months of mounting tension along the contested border, particularly in the region known as the Emerald Triangle. In this sensitive zone, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos converge.
Back in May, an earlier armed confrontation resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, intensifying the military build-up in the region.
Just a day before the current escalation, a Thai soldier sustained injuries in a landmine blast near the border — an incident that may have served as a precursor to the present conflict.
Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have ignited into a full-scale conflict, raising fears of broader regional instability. As jets fly and rockets land, both nations are hardening their stances, risking diplomatic fallout and civilian casualties.
Diplomatic Fallout Deepens
The fallout is no longer limited to military exchanges. Diplomatic ties are now unravelling at speed.
Both governments have recalled their diplomatic staff, and the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh has issued an urgent appeal, advising all Thai nationals currently in Cambodia to leave the country immediately.
As the crisis deepens, international observers fear further escalation, with regional peace hanging in the balance. For a deeper look into the background of the Cambodia–Thailand border tension, recent developments leading to this conflict shed light on the long-standing dispute.
