Thailand has carried out airstrikes along a disputed stretch of its border with Cambodia, the Thai military said on Monday, marking the most serious escalation since the two neighbors agreed to a ceasefire earlier this year.
The flare-up threatens to undermine months of diplomatic efforts, including a landmark deal brokered by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
What sparked the renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia?
Thai army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree said the attacks followed what Bangkok characterized as Cambodia’s repeated ceasefire violations in recent days.
“Both countries have accused the other of violating the ceasefire agreement,” he confirmed, adding that Thai aircraft had been deployed in response to what commanders saw as “clear and imminent threats” along the border.
Phnom Penh has issued its own accusations, saying Thai troops crossed into Cambodian territory and first began hostilities. Independent verification remains limited, and neither side has released casualty figures.
How did the earlier conflict between Thailand and Cambodia develop?
The border dispute erupted in July into a five-day war centered on long-disputed areas where overlapping historical claims have fueled tensions for decades. The July fighting displaced civilians, halted cross-border trade and prompted urgent international mediation.
A ceasefire agreement was subsequently brokered by President Trump and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with Trump later witnessing the signing of the expanded agreement in Kuala Lumpur in October. The agreement was billed as a framework for long-term stabilization and demilitarization – terms that are now under pressure following renewed hostilities.
What does this escalation mean for regional stability?
The latest development threatens to unsettle a region already vulnerable to border flare-ups. Thailand and Cambodia have clashed in the past over similar territorial disputes, often centered on demarcation lines that remain ambiguous despite repeated attempts at arbitration.
Analysts warn that even limited air operations could trigger retaliation and once again draw in outside intermediaries, especially given Washington and Kuala Lumpur’s recent role in de-escalation efforts.
What will follow the ceasefire agreement?
With both sides trading accusations and military activity escalating, the validity of the October expanded agreement is now being called into question. Diplomatic channels remain active, but officials have not yet indicated whether emergency talks will be called.
