BANGKOK / PHNOM PENH — Thousands of civilians are fleeing villages along the Thailand–Cambodia border after a sharp escalation in cross‑border violence, marking the most serious confrontation between the two neighbours since their July ceasefire.
Airstrikes and Ground Fire Reported
A Thai military spokesman confirmed that Thai air force jets carried out strikes on Cambodian military positions late Sunday after a Thai soldier was killed in an exchange of fire along a disputed stretch of the frontier.
Cambodia responded with its own accusations, saying four civilians were killed by Thai Army gunfire in the northern provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, areas that have long been flashpoints in the two countries’ territorial disputes.
Clashes Spread Across Multiple Provinces
Fighting has also been reported inside Thailand’s north‑eastern provinces of Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani, prompting local authorities to evacuate border communities and set up temporary shelters. Witnesses described artillery fire, smoke rising from forested border zones, and long lines of families fleeing with belongings strapped to motorbikes and tractors.
Mutual Accusations as Ceasefire Falters
Both Bangkok and Phnom Penh have blamed each other for triggering the latest violence. The renewed clashes come just months after the two sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire brokered in July, raising fears that the conflict could spiral into a broader confrontation.
Regional Concerns Over Escalation
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who played a key role in negotiating the July truce, warned that the situation risks “unravelling the careful work that has gone into stabilising relations between the two neighbours.”
Diplomats across Southeast Asia are urging restraint, concerned that the fighting could destabilise a region already grappling with political tensions and humanitarian crises.
Humanitarian Impact Mounts
Aid agencies say the number of displaced civilians is rising rapidly, with thousands seeking safety deeper inside both countries. Local officials report shortages of food, water, and medical supplies as border towns struggle to cope with the sudden influx.
Uncertain Path Ahead
With both sides entrenched and casualties mounting, the prospects for an immediate de‑escalation remain unclear. Regional observers warn that unless urgent diplomatic efforts resume, the conflict could widen, threatening not only border communities but also broader ASEAN stability.
