Phnom Penh, Cambodia – November 13, 2025 – Cambodia has evacuated hundreds of residents from Prey Chan village along its disputed border with Thailand, following a deadly shooting incident that killed at least one Cambodian and wounded three others. The escalation comes amid lingering tensions over territorial disputes, which have periodically erupted into armed confrontations in recent years.

Deadly Border Shooting Sparks Evacuation

The incident occurred on Wednesday, just two days after a Thai soldier lost a foot to a land mine while patrolling another section of the border. Thailand blamed Cambodia for the explosion and announced a suspension of the ceasefire, which had been partially brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In response, the Cambodian government evacuated approximately 250 families from Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey province, relocating them to a nearby Buddhist temple roughly 30 kilometers from the border. Provincial Vice Governor Ly Sovannarith confirmed the move as a precaution to ensure the safety of civilians.

Cambodian Defense Ministry officials, alongside an observer team from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), were deployed to monitor the ceasefire and assess the situation on the ground.

Historical Context and Recent Tensions

The Cambodia-Thailand border has been a flashpoint for centuries, with disputes dating back to territorial claims during the era of warring empires. The modern conflict stems from disagreements over maps drawn during Cambodia’s French colonial period in 1907. One particularly contentious area is around the Preah Vihear temple, whose sovereignty was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, a decision that continues to inflame Thai nationalist sentiment.

Earlier clashes occurred in late July 2025, resulting in multiple casualties among both soldiers and civilians. A non-lethal confrontation also took place in Prey Chan village in September, highlighting the fragile nature of the border truce.

Conflicting Accounts of the Shooting

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for an independent investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need for justice for those affected. He claimed that Thai forces had engaged in “numerous provocative actions for many days” aimed at instigating conflict, but reaffirmed that Cambodia remained committed to honoring the ceasefire terms.

Thailand, however, has issued a contrasting account. Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree, a spokesperson for the Thai army, alleged that Cambodian forces fired from civilian areas, endangering lives and violating humanitarian principles. He described Cambodia’s actions as using human shields, and insisted Thailand’s warning shots were a defensive measure.

Ceasefire at Risk

The recent land mine explosion and subsequent shooting underscore the fragility of the October truce agreement between the two nations. While the ceasefire temporarily reduced clashes, many of its provisions remain unimplemented. Thailand has demanded that Cambodia conduct a thorough investigation, issue an apology, and take steps to prevent future incidents.

Analysts note that without a clear resolution to the underlying territorial dispute, sporadic violence is likely to continue, threatening regional stability in Southeast Asia.