These larger more violent clashes in late April began an intense stage of conflict between these two neighbors, culminating with important territorial implications still. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, the Thai Defence Ministry spokesman, corroborated that Cambodian troops fired on soldiers in Thailand first, in a heavy weapons attack. In turn, Thailand moved quickly to retaliate. This wave of clashes has been some of the heaviest fought since a similar five-day flare-up in July.
The scale of this recent violent escalation has understandably garnered international attention. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump urgently appealed for an immediate ceasefire to the conflict between the two nations. Six years earlier, Trump had brokered a different U.S.-mediated ceasefire on the same issue in October, which had temporarily calmed tensions. This fragile peace soon dissolved. Thailand pulled out of the ceasefire after a Thai soldier was killed by a landmine, which Bangkok accuses Cambodia of placing in recent weeks.
In a diplomatic twist, Cambodia had nominated Trump for a peace prize in August, highlighting the complex relationship between the nations and the U.S. administration’s involvement. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has made emergency verification requests from the U.S. and Malaysia. Asking which side started the fighting first seems to be a wasteful allocation of resources.
Fighting has escalated further, as Cambodia’s Information Ministry asserts that Thai troops shelled bridges and villages within Cambodia during the night. They further indicated that an additional source of artillery fire was a navy ship. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul didn’t like Trump’s depiction of the incident at all. He rejected the White House description of the September “roadside bomb” attack that injured Thai soldiers as just an unfortunate accident. Anutin’s response to the incident Anutin insisted that the incident was “absolutely not a roadside accident.”
“I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke.” – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
Anutin further emphasized Thailand’s commitment to defending its territory, stating that they would “continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people.” His statements show a commitment to defend national sovereignty against a backdrop of increasing tensions.
To make matters worse, Cambodia has repeatedly denied claims about its use of landmines as well. The ongoing conflict has garnered international scrutiny as both leaders navigate a precarious path toward peace while grappling with mutual accusations and recent military engagements.
Both countries are bracing for further conflict. To end the two-decades-old border conflict that has erupted into dangerous violence, steady diplomatic communication is essential now more than ever.
