At least 15 people, mostly civilians, have been killed after heavy fighting broke out between Thai and Cambodian forces along their disputed border.
The clashes, which began after five Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine blast on Wednesday, continued into Friday despite earlier attempts at de‑escalation.
A fractured friendship at the heart of the crisis
The latest violence follows a dramatic deterioration in relations between both nations after Cambodian senior figure Hun Sen leaked a private phone call with Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
In the recording, she called him “uncle” and criticised her own military commander, sparking outrage at home and leading to her suspension from office.
History of uneasy cooperation
Thailand and Cambodia share a long history of disputed borders and tense cooperation, with past flashpoints in 2008 and 2011 that claimed dozens of lives but were quickly contained.
Behind the scenes, both countries have also collaborated in sensitive security matters, including repatriation of dissidents and cross‑border political dealings.
Economic and political pressures
Both governments are under intense domestic strain, with Thailand battling a stagnant economy and looming US tariffs, while Cambodia struggles with tourism decline and post‑pandemic recovery.
Trade between them, worth billions annually, has halted, and Thai authorities have started investigating Cambodian business figures over alleged links to illicit networks.
Uncertain path forward
Hun Sen has further inflamed tensions by claiming he holds documents implicating Thaksin Shinawatra, while Thailand retaliated by expelling Cambodia’s ambassador.
For now, neither side appears ready to compromise, though observers believe Asean intervention and back‑channel talks could still pave the way to peace.
