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ABC News
28-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Everything you need to know about the Thailand-Cambodia conflict
Months of border tension between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated into an armed clash, the worst in a decades-long conflict. Each nation has blamed the other for the escalation, which is the latest chapter in a long-running spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet. Thai military air strikes have targeted Cambodian military installations, while Thai Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin told reporters that Cambodia's actions, including an attack on a hospital, should be considered war crimes. After the initial attacks, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested the UN Security Council convene an "urgent meeting … to stop Thailand's aggression". What's the latest? At least 14 casualties have been reported in border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. For the latest updates as they happen, see World News here. Locals in the conflict zone on both sides of the border have fled the violence with both Thai and Cambodian citizens injured. A leading expert says questions remain about how the conflict will be handled by both countries and what impacts it might have on the region more broadly. Thai people looks at the damage of Phanom Dong Rak hospital after Cambodia fired artillery shells at Surin Province, Thailand, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunny Chittawil) ( AP Photo: Sunny Chittawil ) What happened in the lead-up? The dispute first flared in May after armed forces of Thailand and Cambodia briefly fired at each other in a relatively small, contested border area that each country claims as its own. Both sides accused each other and said they acted in self-defence. While the countries said afterwards they agreed to de-escalate the situation, Cambodian and Thai authorities continued to implement or threaten measures short of armed force, keeping tensions high. Relations between the South-East Asian neighbours have deteriorated sharply since the armed confrontation in May. Nationalist passions on both sides have further inflamed the situation. Here's what's happened in recent weeks: A soldier salutes as Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra leaves on a helicopter after she visits a Thailand-Cambodia border town of Aranyaprathet district, while she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand, June 26, 2025. ( Reuters: Athit Perawongmetha ) Stream updates Stay up to date on the latest news from the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict through our YouTube channel and international news services.
CNA
24-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Thailand-Cambodia tensions: A decades-long spat over parts of the Emerald Triangle
Thailand-Cambodia relations have reached a new, dangerous low, with both sides trading fire. At the crux of it is a decades-long spat over parts of the Emerald Triangle, where their borders meet Laos and several ancient temples stand. The row flared into deadly military clashes more than 15 years ago. Cambodia is seeking international mediation, but Thailand has long rejected the International Court of Justice's jurisdiction in these matters. Dr Gregory Raymond, a senior lecturer at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University, shared more about the latest border clashes.
Telegraph
24-07-2025
- Telegraph
Is it safe to travel to Thailand and Cambodia? Latest advice
Thailand has bombed Cambodia with F-16 fighter jets, bringing war to a region that is popular with British backpackers. Tensions between the two countries have been simmering for months, and in May troops stationed at a contested part of the border exchanged fire resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. However, this week's border fighting marks a significant escalation. Here is everything you need to know about whether it is safe to travel to Thailand and Cambodia, with analysis on where the conflict zones lie in relation to the major tourist sights, and what to do if you are in the region or want to cancel an upcoming trip. What is happening on the Thai-Cambodia border? The conflict is the latest chapter in a long-standing border dispute around the Preah Vihear temple area, dating back to a map drawn in 1907 during French colonial rule. Things escalated in May 2025 when a Cambodian soldier was shot near the contested area of the border. In response, Cambodia suspended fruit, vegetable and gas imports between the two countries and even banned Thai films from being screened in its cinemas. In a further escalation, in June Thailand's army closed the border with Cambodia, and both countries have since stationed troops in the area. This week, Thailand accused Cambodia of laying landmines in the disputed territory. On July 24, border clashes were reported in six border locations in an area known as the 'Emerald Triangle' where the countries meet Laos. According to Thai officials, at least 12 Thai nationals have been killed in Thailand and a further 31 injured following Cambodia's artillery shelling. These numbers are expected to rise. In a further escalation, Thailand bombed two strategic sites in Cambodia with F-16 fighter jets. Some 40,000 civilians were evacuated from 86 villages close to the border. Both countries claim the other initiated the latest fighting on the border. The number of fatalities and injuries in Cambodia are as yet unreported. Is this on the 'backpacker circuit?' The conflict zone is centred around the border in northern Cambodia and eastern Thailand. Conflict sites include the Ta Muen Toch, Ta Muen Thom, Ta Krabei and Preah Vihear temples. Backpackers (and their parents) should take note that the conflict zone is rarely visited by tourists. As the crow flies, Preah Vihear is approximately 87 miles away from Angkor Wat, a Unesco World Heritage Site in Siem Reap. Bangkok is 280 miles away and Phnom Penh is 190 miles away. The biggest impact on backpackers is the fact that border posts between the two countries are closed, including at stations far away from the conflict zone, making land crossings impossible for tourists. What does the Foreign Office advise? On July 24 the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its advice on Cambodia. It warns: 'Land borders/crossings between Cambodia and Thailand are temporarily suspended. The line of the international border near the Preah Vihear temple ('Khaoi Pra Viharn' in Thai) has been in dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, with occasional clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops. 'There have also been disputes over control of the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples, which are close to the Cambodia-Thailand border. Take extra care when travelling in this area, and follow the instructions of the local authorities.' The FCDO has not, at the time of writing, updated its advice to travelling to Thailand but the existing advice on 'regional risks' echoes the above. British travellers in the area are being advised to 'follow the instructions of local authorities' in the region. The only part of Thailand with a formal 'do not travel' advisory is the southern part of the country, near the Malaysian border, where the FCDO warns against travelling to a number of provinces due to 'regular attacks'. There are no formal travel advisories against travelling to Cambodia. Are things likely to escalate? This is a possibility. Tita Sanglee, a Thailand-based associate fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute think tank, says: 'With Thai soldiers wounded by Cambodian landmines in apparent violation of the Ottawa Treaty, and now with the latest reports of injured Thai civilians and fatalities, the pressure on Thai political as well as military leaders is mounting. 'Continued restraint may no longer be viable as it risks escalating a crisis of public trust.' Sanglee added that a number of people in Thailand feel that the government has been 'too slow and too soft compared to Cambodia's swift and tough approach. So, as things stand, I don't see de-escalation coming soon. The real question is how far the fighting might go.' Malaysia's prime minister has urged Cambodia and Thailand to turn to the negotiating table and de-escalate. 'The least we can expect from them is to just stand down and hopefully to try and enter into negotiations,' Anwar Ibrahim told reporters. Can you still fly between Thailand and Cambodia? Yes. Airlines continue to fly between Cambodia and Thailand. What if I want to cancel my trip to the region? It is understandable that some British holidaymakers and backpackers will be feeling nervous about travelling to Thailand and Cambodia, given the escalation of conflict in the region. If you have booked a package holiday or escorted tour to Thailand and/or Cambodia and want to cancel your trip for any reason, contact your tour operator and they might offer flexibility with alternative dates. But bear in mind that, because the Foreign Office has not yet issued any advice against travel to either country, there is no guarantee you will receive a refund, nor will you be able to claim money back with your travel insurance company. If you have booked flights and accommodation independently, and wish to cancel your holiday, contact your travel providers as soon as possible to see if you can rearrange your plans. Note, however, that given the circumstances, it is unlikely you will receive a full or even partial refund. Backpackers or students considering a gap year in the region should keep a close eye on developments in the coming weeks and months. Booking with a respected tour operator like Trailfinders or Gap360 will ensure support on the ground and rebooking options, were the conflict to escalate.
CNN
24-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
What you need to know about the deadly border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia
Deadly violence has flared up once again on the contentious border between Thailand and Cambodia, reigniting a long-running but little-known dispute. Thailand deployed fighter jets against Cambodian military targets on Thursday, as forces from both countries clashed along the border. The escalation came after a second Thai soldier in a week lost their leg in a landmine explosion. Diplomatic relations have deteriorated as a full-blown conflict threatens to break out. Here's what to know about the disputed border. Tensions worsened in May when a Cambodian solider was killed during a brief clash between Thai and Cambodian troops in a contested border area of the Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. Thai and Cambodian forces said they were acting in self-defense and blamed the other for the skirmish. Although military leaders from Thailand and Cambodia said they wished to de-escalate, both sides have since engaged in saber-rattling and reinforced troops along the border. Thailand took control of border checkpoints, imposed restrictions on crossings and threatened to cut electricity and internet to Cambodia's border towns. Cambodia in return stopped imports of Thai fruit and vegetables and banned Thai movies and TV dramas. Recent landmine explosions prompted both countries to downgrade relations with each other and recall diplomatic staff. The first soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion on July 16. The second incident occurred Wednesday, when a blast injured five Thai soldiers, with one losing his leg. Thursday's violence marked a significant escalation. Thailand and Cambodia have had a complicated relationship of both cooperation and rivalry in recent decades. The two countries share a 508-mile (817-kilometer) land border – largely mapped by the French when they controlled Cambodia as a colony – that has periodically seen military clashes and been the source of political tensions. Cambodia has previously sought a ruling from the UN's International Court of Justice over disputed areas, including the site of the most recent clash. However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJ's jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples. In 2011, Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in a nearby area surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, displacing thousands of people on both sides and killing at least 20 people. The most recent conflict has had huge political ramifications in Thailand. Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from duties in July after the leak of a phone call she had with Cambodia's powerful former leader Hun Sen, in which she appeared to criticize her own army's actions in the dispute. Shinawatra hails from a powerful dynasty and became Thailand's youngest prime minister last year, at just 38. She could face full dismissal over the 17-minute phone call – in which she appeared to signal there was discord between her government and the powerful Thai military. The scandal and her suspension brought fresh uncertainty to the Southeast Asian kingdom, which has been roiled by years of political turbulence and leadership shake-ups.
CNN
24-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
What you need to know about the deadly border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia
Asia National securityFacebookTweetLink Follow Deadly violence has flared up once again on the contentious border between Thailand and Cambodia, reigniting a long-running but little-known dispute. Thailand deployed fighter jets against Cambodian military targets on Thursday, as forces from both countries clashed along the border. The escalation came after a second Thai soldier in a week lost their leg in a landmine explosion. Diplomatic relations have deteriorated as a full-blown conflict threatens to break out. Here's what to know about the disputed border. Tensions worsened in May when a Cambodian solider was killed during a brief clash between Thai and Cambodian troops in a contested border area of the Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. Thai and Cambodian forces said they were acting in self-defense and blamed the other for the skirmish. Although military leaders from Thailand and Cambodia said they wished to de-escalate, both sides have since engaged in saber-rattling and reinforced troops along the border. Thailand took control of border checkpoints, imposed restrictions on crossings and threatened to cut electricity and internet to Cambodia's border towns. Cambodia in return stopped imports of Thai fruit and vegetables and banned Thai movies and TV dramas. Recent landmine explosions prompted both countries to downgrade relations with each other and recall diplomatic staff. The first soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion on July 16. The second incident occurred Wednesday, when a blast injured five Thai soldiers, with one losing his leg. Thursday's violence marked a significant escalation. Thailand and Cambodia have had a complicated relationship of both cooperation and rivalry in recent decades. The two countries share a 508-mile (817-kilometer) land border – largely mapped by the French when they controlled Cambodia as a colony – that has periodically seen military clashes and been the source of political tensions. Cambodia has previously sought a ruling from the UN's International Court of Justice over disputed areas, including the site of the most recent clash. However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJ's jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples. In 2011, Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in a nearby area surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, displacing thousands of people on both sides and killing at least 20 people. The most recent conflict has had huge political ramifications in Thailand. Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from duties in July after the leak of a phone call she had with Cambodia's powerful former leader Hun Sen, in which she appeared to criticize her own army's actions in the dispute. Shinawatra hails from a powerful dynasty and became Thailand's youngest prime minister last year, at just 38. She could face full dismissal over the 17-minute phone call – in which she appeared to signal there was discord between her government and the powerful Thai military. The scandal and her suspension brought fresh uncertainty to the Southeast Asian kingdom, which has been roiled by years of political turbulence and leadership shake-ups.
