Thailand–Cambodia Border – Renewed hostilities along the Thai-Cambodia border have led to a rising death toll and mass displacement, as both nations continue their military confrontation over disputed territory. Clashes resumed late Sunday, reigniting tensions that had briefly subsided following a July ceasefire brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, at least nine civilians have been killed and 20 injured since Monday. Meanwhile, Thai military officials reported three soldiers dead and 29 wounded on their side, highlighting the escalating human cost of the renewed conflict.

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Recent Escalation

The fighting reignited after one Thai soldier was killed in a skirmish on Sunday night. This renewed outbreak forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee, disrupting communities along the border in provinces such as Trat, Sa Kaeo, and Buriram.

Earlier clashes in July, fueled by territorial disputes and exchanges of rockets and artillery, had claimed at least 48 lives and temporarily displaced over 300,000 people. Despite the July ceasefire, Thailand suspended the agreement last month after a landmine blast injured a Thai soldier, escalating tensions once more.

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Cambodia Responds

Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen stated that the military had initially held fire but responded overnight to Thai advances. “Cambodia wants peace, but Cambodia is forced to fight back to defend its territory,” he asserted. Cambodian forces have reportedly targeted areas where Thai troops are advancing, aiming to weaken and repel what they consider an invasion.

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Thailand’s Military Actions

Thailand’s army reported that Cambodian forces fired artillery at a village in eastern Sa Kaeo province, while rockets and drone attacks targeted Thai positions. The Thai navy launched operations in Trat province to expel Cambodian troops, citing an increase in fortified positions, sniper deployments, and heavy weapon emplacements as threats to sovereignty.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told Al Jazeera that Cambodia is “not ready” for peace, emphasizing that “diplomacy will work when the situation provides the space for diplomacy,” which he said is currently lacking.

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Civilian Displacement

Ongoing clashes have displaced large numbers of civilians on both sides of the border. Thailand’s 2nd Army Region has set up nearly 500 temporary shelters across four border provinces, accommodating over 125,000 displaced people.

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Historical Context

The Thai-Cambodia border dispute stretches over 817 km (508 miles), originating from French colonial maps drawn in 1907. The most sensitive area remains the land surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2013, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) upheld a 1962 ruling awarding part of the temple’s surrounding land to Cambodia and instructed Thailand to withdraw troops. Thailand has historically refused to fully acknowledge the ICJ’s jurisdiction, contributing to recurring border tensions.

Past flare-ups include a weeklong artillery exchange in 2011, underscoring how quickly disputes can escalate despite diplomatic efforts.

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Outlook

With both nations blaming each other for initiating fire and maintaining military operations along the border, the prospects for an immediate ceasefire remain uncertain. Analysts warn that without renewed diplomatic engagement, the cycle of clashes and civilian displacement is likely to continue.