Thailand and Cambodia border closed after weeks of tensions • FRANCE 24 English

[Music] Thailand and Cambodia are exchanging heavy fire along their contested border. A sharp escalation that’s killed at least 11 civilians in Thailand. According to officials, both sides blamed the other for starting the fighting which saw Cambodia firing rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military using F-16 jets to carry out air strikes. The neighbors are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where both the borders of both countries and Laos meet and which is home to several ancient temples. Relations between the Southeast Asian neighbors have deteriorated sharply since an armed confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier. Let’s take a listen to what the Thai foreign ministry said a little earlier. The Royal Thai government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persist in its armed aggression and violations upon Thailand’s sovereignty in accordance with international law and principles. The Royal Thai government urges Cambodia to cease its repeated act which constitutes severe violations of international law. Such actions fundamentally contradicts the principles of good neighborly relations and good faith and will further undermine Cambodia’s reputation and credibility on the global stage. Well, for more on this story, I’m joined by Daniel Quinnland, France 24 journalist and former regional correspondent. Dan, tell us more then about what we know about these latest clashes. Well, obviously it’s a massive and tragic escala escalation of the conflict and the tensions that have been simmering along that border. Um, initially there were just reports of two dead, but the latest um indications from the ties uh that up to 11 civilians have been killed um from the shelling along that bordering. As you said earlier, the the ties have also escalated in terms of using their military uh planes, F-16s, to hit back at Cambodian positions along the border. Um it’s still very unclear about how exactly this latest round of conflict broke out, but um the ties claimed that they heard an unmanned drone buzzing above one of their positions and then saw heavily armed Cambodian soldiers walking towards their position. Um but both sides are essentially blaming each other at this point. And this is a dispute that dates back more than a century. Tell us more about the historical context. That’s exactly right. Um when Cambodia was under French control, they negotiated with um Thailand, then Siam um to demarcate that area of the border. Um and a lot of the maps at that time weren’t very accurate. There was a lot of confusion about where exactly the line would fall. um that mattered when it came to this particular area um where there are incredibly old and important archeological sites, especially the religious ones. And so Cambodia in 1962 um basically made claims against Thailand and wanted the international court and justice system to settle the dispute. Um and they got a positive ruling in 1962. Um but ever since then then it’s always been a point of contention. It’s never really been resolved. Um and at various points it simmers um and moves along. Um but tensions recently in May as you said uh there was a massive ex escalation with a soldier being killed. Before that it had been relatively calm for um quite a few years. Um but another point uh earlier this century 2008 to 2011 there’d been lots of clashes and a lot of efforts had to be made during this last period to deescalate um and try and resolve things peacefully. All right, Daniel Quinnland, thank you very much for bringing us the latest.

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire on the border Thursday in a sharp escalation of their conflict that killed at least nine civilians. The Thai army said the most casualties occurred in Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after shots were fired at a gas station. At least 14 people were injured in three border provinces. Relations between the Southeast Asian neighbors have deteriorated sharply since an armed confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier. Nationalist passions on both sides have further inflamed the situation.
#Thailand #Cambodia #Asia

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27 comments

  1. Do you believe the Cambodia military is smaller than Thailand's 5 times fight first? Do you believe the Cambodia military is smaller than Thailand 3 times fight to Thailand first? Please add the Cambodia voice and send your reporter to come to Cambodia to find the truth. Thank you

  2. If we don't care about who start the war (I think that Cambodia open fire but now they are blaming each others), the obvious one is why Cambodia fire the missile into hospital and civilian. It just too inhumane.

  4. The origins of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict stem from decisions made during France's colonial administration in the region.

  6. At first, Thailand ruled Khao Pra Viharn Temple before France ruled Cambodia. France used a 1:200,000 map which was rough and inaccurate. While Thailand used 1:50,000 and watershed. Cambodia relied on France's influence to take advantage of this incomplete map to sue the World Court (ICJ) to seize Thai territory.

    .

    Ultimately, Thailand lost the temple because did not argue. Anyway, the World Court did not announce to use the 1:200,000 map. This mistake made Thailand deeply hurt and follow intimate that will not accept the authority of the World Court. Until today, Cambodia cites this judgment and the ancient French map to seize additional territory. Especially for the Politic or hiding mismanagement.

  8. The problem of Thailand and Cambodia wants the parties to cease fire if they continue to fight each other to cause the loss of civilians, injuries and innocent lives.

  9. Actually, the problem of the Thai-Cambodian conflict between the two sides of the ceasefire It will affect the people if they keep fighting, there will only be losses.

  10. Thank you for a deep and detailed coverage compared to other international outlets. The historical context is very important here but recent incidents including the encroaching of Thai territory to plant landmines which severely injured two Thai soldiers was one of the main triggering points. Then Cambodia launched a preemptive strike which consequently targeted civilian areas, including a hospital, a gas station which included a convenience store caused civilian casualties including an 8 year old child. This under no circumstances should be tolerated by the international community as a grave violation of the Geneva Convention and all modern humanitarian law which all nations must abide by. I hope the UNSC hears all sides of the story, and are able to bring justice to the Thai lives being lost from this tragic conflict.

  11. please Thailand stop war activities and accept the international negotiation. Stop pretend to be victim. If Thailand is a good country than let's go to court to settle the dispute,Why dont you accept the international negotiation?

  12. Since 7:00 AM on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Cambodian soldiers opened fire on Thai territory, including hospitals and schools. Thai soldiers had to protect the people and fight back. Until July 25, Cambodian soldiers still did not stop shooting.

  13. This sentence, for the group of people who talk about the ICJ, if the ICJ was truly fair, all countries would have joined and accepted it long ago

  14. Cambodia launched the attack first(hospital, petrol, 7-11 and town) and then said that Thailand attacked them (wtf) and Khmer played as the victim.

  15. Scambodia consistently disseminates false information, and their government continues to tell lies. Without French colonization, Cambodia would not exist today and ASEAN would be a peaceful region. Why don't the French give it back to SIAM?

  18. When France returned independence to Cambodia, you had to return the part that was seized from Thailand to Thailand. You didn't return Thai things to Cambodia. That wouldn't be right. When Cambodia started a war, Thailand had the legitimate right to take back our part that Cambodia had taken from France and given to Cambodia. France didn't mention anything about this

  20. I also hope that the Thai-Cambodian conflict should end, both sides should cease fire, should find a peaceful way, should be deterred.

  22. Cambodia wanted a peaceful resolution by having a third party oversee the border dispute. Thailand was afraid to go to the international court because they were afraid they would lose, instead they op for a military strategy because they know Cambodia is far weaker than them militarily. Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire but Thailand rejected it. Thailand is bullying a far weaker developing country who has no other choice but to defend themselves.

  25. The Cambodian need peace not war . Thailand started first that force the Cambodian’ soldiers defended. We stay in peace for long time so we don’t need war . Thailand made war then they don’t show the truth that they did . Justice for Cambodia

  26. The conflict between these two countries has deep roots, going back to before the Rattanakosin era, which began in 1782.

    During the French colonization, France took over Cambodia and attempted to bring Thailand under its control as well. However, the Thai king at that time refused to let Thailand fall under the colonization of France, Britain, or Portugal. Instead, Thailand offered parts of its land as a peaceful settlement, which France accepted. Those lands thereby became part of Cambodia. But when France eventually withdrew from Cambodia, these lands were never returned to Thailand.

    This is why, even today, both Thais and Cambodians claim ownership of certain territories — a lingering issue left unresolved by third-party intervention, forcing the two nations to deal with the consequences.

    This history is also part of the reason why Thailand has never been colonized. “Thai” means freedom, and “Thailand” means “the land of the free.” History itself shows why Thailand has earned this name.

    This time Cambodia planted landmines on Thai soil, injuring two soldiers. They fired at a Thai hospital and a convenience store, killing two boys and a girl — 12 people in total lost their lives.

    These were not accidental shots. Cambodia could have aimed near military targets but instead deliberately attacked civilians and communities.

    To make matters worse, Cambodian news reports even used Thai video footage showing Thai civilians fleeing their homes, falsely claiming it was Cambodians in the clip.

    Cambodia must be held accountable for these actions, and the truth needs to be told. These are facts, supported by clear evidence and a documented timeline of Cambodia’s inhumane acts.

  27. It's not just the border that's a problem. Everything that's Thai, Cambodia is trying to claim. That's why France is the reason for the problems.

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