29-05-2025
Thai, Cambodian troops briefly clash
Thai and Cambodian soldiers briefly fired at each other in their disputed border area.
The Thai statement said Cambodian soldiers entered a disputed area and Thai soldiers approached to negotiate but due to a misunderstanding, the Cambodian side opened fire and the Thai soldiers retaliated.
Cambodian army spokesman Mao Phalla said Cambodian troops were conducting a routine patrol when the Thai side opened fire.
The clash lasted about 10 minutes until local commanders spoke to each other and ordered a ceasefire. The Thai army said the two were negotiating.
The Thai army said it had no casualties, and the Cambodian official said there was no immediate information on its casualties.
Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation has resolved and said both sides did not intend to open fire at each other.
Neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of land disputes. The most prominent involved the Preah Vihear promontory, an area around a 1,000-year-old temple that was listed as a Unesco world heritage site in 2008.
The UN's International Court of Justice granted sovereignty over the area to Cambodia in 2013.
Previously, in February Cambodian troops and their families entered an ancient temple on the border and sang the Cambodian national anthem, leading to a brief argument with Thai troops. — AP
