Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict Escalation Near Preah Vihear Temple
Thai military forces conducted airstrikes on Cambodian positions following border clashes that resulted in casualties on both sides leading to significant evacuations.
SOUTHEAST ASIA — Thai military forces conducted airstrikes on Cambodian positions following border clashes that resulted in casualties on both sides and led to significant civilian evacuations.
The incident occurred along the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple, highlighting ongoing territorial tensions between the two nations. Reports from Cambodian government sources indicate that Thai forces initiated attacks using artillery, tanks, and aircraft, while Thai military assessments suggest Cambodian provocations involving heavy weaponry prompted the response.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated, “Thailand has never wished for violence. I’d like to reiterate that Thailand has never initiated a fight or an invasion, but will never tolerate a violation of its sovereignty.”
The border dispute centers on the Preah Vihear temple, which the International Court of Justice awarded to Cambodia in 1962, although adjacent lands remain contested. This ruling established Cambodian sovereignty over the temple site itself.
Tensions escalated in 2008 when UNESCO designated the temple as a World Heritage site under Cambodian jurisdiction, leading to periodic confrontations.
A ceasefire agreement, formalized through a joint declaration in October 2025, aimed to halt hostilities that had previously displaced hundreds of thousands and caused dozens of deaths earlier in the year.
The joint declaration states, “We... reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles of international law, peaceful co-existence, and the resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.” However, recent events demonstrate a breakdown in this arrangement, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Recent Clashes
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