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Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting on the border? BBC explains what's behind the tensions

2025-12-09 18:45:05Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting on the border? BBC explains what's
Why Thailand and Cambodia are fighting on the border

Heated tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared up again along the border, breaking a fragile ceasefire backed by US President Donald Trump.

As the BBC reports, since Monday, at least three Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians have been killed, with both sides accusing each other of starting the violence. The clashes, which have also seen Thailand carry out air strikes along the border, are the most serious since July, when a ceasefire was first reached. At least 48 people were killed and thousands displaced after five days of fighting.

Trump intervened and, with the help of Malaysia, negotiated a ceasefire. He later oversaw the signing of what he called the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement” in October. Thailand refused to call it that, calling it the “Joint Declaration of the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia on the Results of Their Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.” Just two weeks later, Thailand suspended the agreement, and fighting broke out again in December.

What is behind the tensions?

This is not a new conflict. In fact, the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back over a century, when the two countries' borders were drawn up after the French occupation of Cambodia. The situation worsened in 2008, when Cambodia sought to register an 11th-century temple in the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a move that was strongly opposed by Thailand.

There have been sporadic clashes over the years, killing soldiers and civilians on both sides. Tensions most recently rose in May after the killing of a Cambodian soldier, sending bilateral relations to their lowest point in more than a decade. Before the July clashes, the two countries imposed trade restrictions and increased troop presence on the border.

Why did fighting break out again?

The sides have given different accounts. On December 8, the Thai military said its troops had responded to Cambodian fire in Ubon Ratchathani province, killing a Thai soldier. Thailand added that it had carried out airstrikes on military targets on the disputed border.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense said that it was Thai forces who attacked first in Preah Vihear province and that Cambodia had not retaliated. The following day, the Thai military accused Cambodia of using multiple launch rockets, bomber drones, and suicide drones against Thai soldiers, with some of the missiles hitting civilian areas. Thailand later confirmed that it had carried out more airstrikes. Cambodia accused Thailand of indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas in the border province of Pursat.

What happened in July?

Even then, the sides gave different versions. Thailand's National Security Council said that on July 24, the Cambodian army used drones for surveillance and then Cambodian soldiers with grenade launchers approached the border. According to Thailand, they opened fire at 08:20, forcing the Thais to react. Thailand also accused Cambodia of using heavy weapons, causing damage to homes and public facilities.

Cambodia, on the other hand, said Thai soldiers started the conflict at 06:30, when they violated an earlier agreement by approaching a Khmer-Hindu temple and setting up barbed wire. According to Cambodian officials, Thailand opened fire “preemptively” at 08:46, forcing them to defend themselves.

What about Trump's peace deal?

Thailand had suspended the agreement in November, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul saying that “the security threat has not diminished.” Cambodia said it remained committed to the agreement.

After the violence erupted in December, the Thai foreign minister declared that the ceasefire “isn't working.” Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said they had opened fire only to uphold the agreement.

Trump, meanwhile, was reported to have urged both sides to honor the agreement. Under its terms, the countries were to withdraw heavy weapons from the disputed area and set up a temporary team of observers. The next step would include the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers held in Thailand.

What's next?

The future remains unclear. Although there have been heavy exchanges of fire in the past, they have been de-escalated relatively quickly. But currently, strong and confident leadership to pull the parties out of the confrontation is lacking.


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