ASIATODAY.ID, BANGKOK – Thailand launched a series of airstrikes into Cambodian territory on Monday, shattering the tenuous ceasefire brokered by the United States just months earlier.
The dramatic escalation underscores how deeply rooted—and dangerously volatile—the half-century border dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors remains.
The renewed hostilities erupted on Sunday, when the Royal Thai Army claimed Cambodian troops opened fire on Thai soldiers in eastern Ubon Ratchathani province. The exchange left one Thai soldier dead and four others wounded. Shortly afterward, additional Thai units reportedly came under heavy artillery and drone attacks targeting Anupong Base.
In response, the Royal Thai Air Force ordered F-16 fighter jets into action. Air Force spokesman Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai said the mission aimed to “reduce Cambodia’s military capabilities to the minimum level necessary to safeguard national security and protect civilians.”
The airstrikes marked the most aggressive Thai retaliation since July’s five-day conflict, which was halted only after US President Donald Trump stepped in to mediate a temporary truce.
Cambodia has vehemently rejected Thailand’s version of events. Defense Ministry spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata accused Bangkok of launching unprovoked attacks using small arms, mortars, and tanks.
“The Thai side also falsely accused Cambodia without any basis, despite the fact that Cambodian forces did not retaliate at all,” she stated, denying allegations of any Cambodian military buildup along the border.
The long-running territorial dispute stems from colonial-era maps drawn by France, which governed Cambodia until 1953. Tensions frequently erupt into violence, but July’s confrontation was among the deadliest in decades—killing dozens and displacing more than 200,000 people on both sides.
With both governments now trading accusations of ceasefire violations, fears are mounting that the region is sliding toward a wider conflict unless urgent diplomatic intervention takes place. (AT Network)
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