Ask Onix
Fresh violence erupts along Thailand-Cambodia border
At least five people were killed on Monday as renewed fighting broke out between Thai and Cambodian forces, triggering mass evacuations on both sides of the disputed frontier. The clashes mark the most severe confrontation since a July ceasefire agreement.
Mutual accusations and military responses
Thailand's military reported retaliating to Cambodian gunfire in Ubon Ratchathani Province, including airstrikes along the border. Meanwhile, Cambodia's defense ministry claimed Thai forces initiated the attack in Preah Vihear province. Casualties included one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians, with around a dozen others injured, according to officials from both nations.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated his country "never wanted violence" but would defend its sovereignty with "necessary means." In contrast, Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen accused Thai troops of provocation, labeling them "invaders."
Civilian impact: disrupted education and displacement fears
Nearly 650 schools across five Thai provinces were ordered to close for safety, Thailand's education minister confirmed. In Cambodia, social media videos showed parents rushing to collect children from schools near the border, echoing disruptions from earlier clashes.
Thai teacher Siksaka Pongsuwan highlighted the toll on children, who are "losing opportunities and precious time" compared to peers in safer regions. Many families now face an agonizing choice: evacuate amid sporadic gunfire or remain in villages where safety is uncertain.
"If you ask whether we're scared, yes we are... Should we leave? Will it really be safer? Or should we stay?"
Siksaka Pongsuwan, Thai teacher
Historical tensions and fragile ceasefires
The century-old border dispute flared dramatically in July when Cambodian rockets struck Thailand, prompting Thai airstrikes. A ceasefire brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was agreed upon days later, with both nations signing a formal accord in October during a ceremony attended by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed it as a historic achievement.
However, tensions resurfaced within weeks after Thailand suspended the agreement following a landmine explosion that injured two of its soldiers. Cambodia, which had nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize for his mediation, reaffirmed its commitment to the deal.
Roots of the conflict
The 800-kilometer border has been contested since the colonial era, when French-drawn boundaries left overlapping territorial claims. Despite diplomatic efforts, sporadic violence has persisted, with over 40 deaths reported since May, alongside trade bans and travel restrictions.
Former journalist Mech Dara shared harrowing images on social media, including children fleeing schools and a boy eating in an underground bunker. "How many times [do these] kids have to suffer the shocking environment?" he wrote. "The nonsense fighting brings kids a horrible nightmare."
