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Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand-Cambodia border clashes won't become war: Phumtham
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai voiced confidence on Friday that the ongoing armed clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border would not escalate into a full-blown war between the two countries Mr Phumtham said the current incidents had not reached a level that warranted concern over a wider conflict. 'What we are seeing now are armed skirmishes, not war,' he said after chairing a meeting of the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation. The deputy prime minister, who is overseeing security affairs, is acting as government leader following the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra from the premiership. He said Thailand remained willing to hold talks with Cambodia to bring an end to the cross-border exchange of gunfire and artillery, but insisted that any dialogue must be preceded by a halt to Cambodian military operations, which he said had triggered the confrontation. The clashes have so far been confined to four northeastern provinces: Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani — all under the responsibility of the Second Army Region. Mr Phumtham said Thai security agencies were working to prevent the conflict from spreading beyond these areas and to keep the situation under control. The Thai-Cambodian border also stretches through Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat. Sa Kaeo falls under the jurisdiction of the First Army Region, while the Royal Thai Navy oversees border security in Chanthaburi and Trat.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Preah Vihar and Muen Thom: The Hindu temples at the heart of Thailand-Cambodia clashes
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated on Thursday with both sides using fighter jets, landmines, and artillery fire. It all began at the Ta Muen Thom temple, a Hindu site dedicated to Lord Shiva, along the contested land border. Earlier, the two sides have clashed over the Preah Vihar temple read more A Thai soldier stands guard as Cambodian people visit the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province. The temple was at the heart of Thursday's clashes. File image/AFP Twelve people dead and counting… Military escalations between Thailand and Cambodia emerged on Thursday (July 24) with the Cambodian prime minister calling on the United Nations Security Council to convene an 'urgent meeting' to 'stop Thailand's aggression. On Thursday, the tensions between the two countries saw the use of fighter jets, landmines, and artillery fire. Thai authorities have even evacuated approximately 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border and said cross-border shelling from Cambodia struck residential areas, a hospital and a fuel station. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The situation has even led Thailand to close its border with Cambodia with Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, saying, 'We have escalated the measures to level 4, which involves the complete closure of all border checkpoints along the Thai Cambodian border.' Catch all the live updates from here This is the latest chapter in the border dispute between the two nations that has dragged on for decades. In fact, this new fighting on Thursday began as both forces of both sides began firing at each other near the Ta Muen Thom temple. The ancient temples along the Thailand-Cambodia border have been friction points. But what do we know of these temples? And why are both countries fighting over them? Fighting erupts near Ta Muen Thom temple On Thursday morning, intense fighting began between Thai and Cambodian troops at Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin Province along the border of the two countries. Reports state that a Cambodian drone was the trigger for the cross-border hostilities, which later escalated to rocket-fire exchange and airstrikes, involving F-16 jets. According to Thailand, just after 07:30 local time, Cambodia's military deployed drones to conduct surveillance of Thai troops near the border. Soon after, Cambodian troops carrying RPGs gathered near the border. Soldiers on the Thai side attempted negotiations by shouting, but were unsuccessful. Finally, around 8.20, they began firing — even using heavy weaponry such as the BM-21 rocket launchers. Cambodian soldiers reload the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province. Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery. AFP However, Cambodia claimed that it was Thailand that violated their territorial sovereignty and launched an armed assault on Cambodian forces. 'In response, the Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law, to repel the Thai incursion and protect Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' said Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the ensuing violence, 12 people have died, and many others have been injured. It has also led to panic in the area, with Malaysia and China expressing concern over the situation. About Ta Muen Thom, temple at the heart of the dispute Thursday's fighting erupted in the complex of the Ta Muen Thom Temple, which is an ancient Khmer-Hindu temple located near the Thai-Cambodian border in the Dangrek mountains. Believed to have been built under Khmer ruler King Udayadityavarman II's, Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or 'Great Temple of the Grandfather Chicken' in Khmer is dedicated to Lord Shiva and even houses a Shivling from a natural rock formation in its sanctum sanctorum. Historians note that the temple was constructed around the 12th Century, making it older than its two companion temples, Prasat Ta Muen and Prasat Ta Muen Tot. Prasat Ta Muen Thom is a part of the larger Ta Muen Temple Complex, a group of three 11th-century Khmer Hindu temples located along the Thailand-Cambodia border. File image/AFP The temple is built from laterite, a durable red soil and notably, its main entrance faces south, which is unusual for Khmer temples that typically face east. The temple's location is what has led to both sides fighting; it lies in an area where the boundary demarcation between Cambodia and Thailand is incomplete. Both countries claim the temple as their territory, leading to skirmishes between the two. In fact, earlier in February, a group of Cambodian soldiers visited the temple area and began singing their national anthem. They were confronted by Thai soldiers stationed nearby. A video of the exchange, filmed by a Thai, surfaced online, showing a heated verbal exchange between the two sides. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Visitors are generally allowed in, but are not permitted to move more than a dozen or so metres beyond the boundary of the temple, and soldiers patrol the site at all times. Thailand, Cambodia and disputes over temple While today's military hostilities occurred at Ta Muen Thom Temple, historically, Thailand and Cambodia have had disputes over other temples, such as the Shiva temple of Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Muen Thom. In May, a deadly clash erupted between the two countries claiming the life of at least one Cambodian soldier at the Preah Vihear temple. That's because these temples are located in contested area. The contesting claims stem largely from a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule that was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand. Cambodia has been using the map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand has argued the map is inaccurate. Buddhist monks visit the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. File image/Reuters In fact, the most prominent and violent conflicts have been around the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple. In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty over the temple area to Cambodia. Years later, in 2013, the court again ruled in favour of Cambodia. However, Thailand has rejected the court's jurisdiction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Preah Vihear temple also located on a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and dates to the 11th century. Now, a Unesco world heritage site, it was built by the leaders of the Khmer Empire, firstly by King Suryavarman I (1002-50) and then expanded upon by Suryavarman II (1113-50). It is made up of a series of sanctuaries known as 'gopuras' and well-preserved elaborate stone buildings. Today, the Preah Vihear temple is a popular tourist despite tensions; it attracts approximately 100,000 visitors annually. With inputs from agencies
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
11 Civilians Killed, Border Sealed As Thailand-Cambodia Dispute Escalates: Top Developments
Last Updated: 11 civilians were killed on Thai soil in artillery strikes by Cambodian forces amid an escalating border dispute. Cambodia has yet to report any civilian casualties Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash: Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared into deadly violence, with at least 12 people killed on Thai soil, including a child and a soldier, heavy artillery fire, and both countries trading allegations of war crimes and sovereignty violations. Here are the top developments from the border crisis: Cambodian Shelling Kills 12 in Thailand, Including Child Thailand's Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said 12 people, 11 civilians and one soldier, were killed in artillery strikes by Cambodian forces on Thursday. One of the civilians killed was a child. An additional 24 civilians and 7 soldiers were injured in the attack. Cambodia has not reported any casualties on its side so far. Thai authorities said civilian areas, including a hospital, were directly targeted in the strikes. Somsak Thepsuthin called it 'an act that could be considered a war crime," demanding that Cambodia be held accountable. Thailand announced a total closure of all border checkpoints with Cambodia. 'We have escalated the measures to level 4, which involves the complete closure of all border checkpoints along the Thai Cambodian border," said Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation. Cambodia Urges UN To Convene Cambodian PM Hun Manet sent an urgent letter to the UN Security Council, accusing Thailand of 'premeditated and deliberate attacks" and urging immediate intervention. He said Cambodia was forced to act in self-defence. Hun Manet added that these strikes came while Cambodia was actively pursuing peaceful and legal avenues to resolve border issues through bilateral and international mechanisms. Landmines, Rockets And Civilian Strikes Thailand accused Cambodia of planting landmines on its territory and firing rockets into civilian zones. Cambodian authorities have denied initiating the attacks and blamed Thailand for violating international law. Thailand warned it is 'prepared to intensify self-defence measures" if Cambodia continues its armed violations. 'The Royal Thai Government calls upon Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents that have occurred, cease attacks against civilian and military targets, and stop all actions that violate Thailand's sovereignty," the Thai Foreign Ministry said. Cambodia Condemns Thai Actions The Cambodian foreign ministry condemned what it called Thailand's 'reckless and hostile act" in the 'strongest possible terms," characterising the strikes as unprovoked military aggression. ASEAN, China Call For Calm Malaysia, the current ASEAN chair, urged both countries to 'stand down" and begin talks. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will speak with the leaders of both countries by the end of the day, Reuters reported. Anwar told reporters: The least we can expect from them is to just stand down and hopefully to try and enter into negotiations. China, a key ally of Cambodia, said it was 'deeply concerned" and vowed to play a 'fair and constructive role" in easing tensions. Second Landmine Blast Injures Thai Soldiers Thursday's strikes followed a landmine explosion on Wednesday that injured five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg. Another blast on July 16 had already maimed a soldier, signalling rising hostilities even before the latest clashes. Trade Bans, Diplomatic Fallout Thailand had threatened to cut off electricity and internet to Cambodian border towns. In retaliation, Cambodia banned Thai fruits, vegetables, and TV dramas. Both sides have recalled diplomats, sharply downgrading bilateral ties. What Is the Border Dispute About? The current violence is rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute over the land around the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, Thailand contests ownership of adjacent land. top videos View all The 508-mile border was drawn during French colonial rule and remains poorly demarcated. Thailand does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction on much of the surrounding territory, keeping the conflict alive for decades. A deadly clash in 2011 near the same site killed over 20. Tensions had already worsened in May this year after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a skirmish near the Emerald Triangle, where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet. Since then, both militaries have reinforced troops, engaged in sabre-rattling, and downgraded diplomatic ties. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : border dispute Cambodia thailand view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 24, 2025, 14:59 IST News world 11 Civilians Killed, Border Sealed As Thailand-Cambodia Dispute Escalates: Top Developments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
