Bangkok, Thailand
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Fatal violence has rekindled at the controversial border between Thailand and Cambodia, rekindling a prolonged, but lesser-known conflict.
Thailand deployed fighter jets against Cambodian military targets on Thursday as troops from both countries collided along the border. The escalation comes after a second Thai soldier in a week lost his leg in a landmine explosion.
Diplomatic relations are getting worse as full-scale conflicts are threatened, just as both sides condemn their aggression.
Thailand’s health ministry said Thursday that 12 people, including 11 civilians and one Thai soldier, were killed in clashes with Cambodian troops. Another 31 people were injured, the ministry said. Cambodian authorities have yet to report any deaths on their part.
Here’s what you need to know about conflict borders:
Tensions worsened in May when Cambodian soldiers were killed in a brief clash between Thai and Cambodian troops in the contested border area of the Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet.
Thai and Cambodian troops blamed others for skirmishes saying they were acting in self-defense.
Military leaders in Thailand and Cambodia said they wanted them to escalate, but both sides were engaged in troops and strengthened troops along the border.
Thailand has managed border checkpoints, imposed restrictions on intersections, and threatened to cut electricity and internet on Cambodian border towns. In return, Cambodia stopped importing Thai fruits and vegetables and banned Thai films and TV dramas.
The recent mine explosion has downgraded relations between the two countries, reminiscing about diplomatic staff.
The first soldier lost his leg in a mine explosion on July 16th. The second incident occurred Wednesday. The violence on Thursday showed a serious escalation.
Thailand and Cambodia have developed complex relationships with both cooperation and competition over the last few decades.
The two countries share a 508-mile (817km) land border mapped primarily by the French when they ruled Cambodia as a colony.
Cambodia has previously sought a ruling from the United Nations International Court of Justice over a disputed area, including the site of its latest conflict.
However, Thailand does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICJ and claims that some areas along the border are not completely bounded, including the locations of several ancient temples.
In 2011, Thai and Cambodian forces clashed in nearby areas surrounding the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, kicking out thousands of people on either side and killing at least 20 people.
The flare-up in May had a major political influence in Thailand.
Thai Prime Minister Paetong Tarun Sinawatra was suspended from duties in July after a call was leaked with Cambodia’s powerful former leader Hun Sen.
Petonggaan comes from a powerful dynasty and last year he became Thailand’s youngest prime minister at just 38 years old. She could be completely fired on a 17-minute call.
The scandal and her halt have brought new uncertainty to the Southeast Asian Kingdom, which has been unfolding through years of political turbulence and leadership reforms.
Both forces accused each other of setting up a fire on Thursday morning. Cambodia then fired rockets into Thai soil, Thailand said. Thai fighters later dropped two bombs on Cambodia’s territory, Cambodia said.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense has condemned what it called “brutal, wild and violent military attacks” and accused Thailand of violating international law. The ministry said the Thai F-16 dropped two bombs on a road near the ancient Purihaa temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Cambodia reserves the right to legal self-defense and will respond decisively to Thailand’s violent attacks,” the statement said, adding that the military is “fully prepared to protect the sovereignty of the kingdom and its people.”
Thailand’s Region 2 Military Command in the northeast states that F-16 fighters had been deployed in two regions, claiming that they had “destroyed” two regional military support units in Cambodia. Army spokesman Colonel Richa Squanont said the strike was intended solely for military targets.
Thai proxy caretaker, Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, said Cambodia would launch heavy weapons at Thailand with a clear target, leading to civilian deaths. According to Reuters, the acting prime minister also said the conflict has not spread to more states.
He added that negotiations will not be made with Cambodia until they fight along the border.
