A dangerous military escalation has erupted along the contested Thai-Cambodian border, with both nations trading accusations of initiating hostilities that have resulted in casualties and prompted the deployment of air power.
The Thai Army confirmed it has deployed fighter jets following what it described as Cambodian attacks on Monday morning. According to Thai Army Spokesperson Winthai Suvaree, the incident occurred approximately at 07:00 local time in the Chong Bok area of Nam Yuen District. Thai soldiers operating in the region reportedly came under attack with ‘supporting fire weapons,’ resulting in two soldiers killed and four wounded.
This deadly engagement followed an earlier clash in the nearby Chong An Ma area around 05:05 local time, when Cambodian troops allegedly opened fire with small arms and indirect weapons. The Thai Army stated it responded under established rules of engagement.
In response to the casualties and what it termed a ‘direct threat to national security,’ the Royal Thai Air Force confirmed it has commenced air operations targeting Cambodian military infrastructure. RTAF Spokesperson Jackkrit Thammavichai stated: ‘These developments prompted the use of air power to deter and reduce Cambodia’s military capabilities to the minimum level necessary to safeguard national security and protect civilians.’
Meanwhile, Cambodian authorities presented a starkly different account of the events. Cambodian Defense Ministry’s Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata asserted that Thai military forces launched an unprovoked attack on Cambodian forces in the An Ses area of Preah Vihear province around 05:04 on Monday.
According to Socheata, Thai forces ‘continued firing multiple shots with tanks at Tamoan Thom temple, 5 Makara in the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple and Chomka Chek area.’ She characterized these actions as part of ‘numerous provocative actions for many days, especially the incident yesterday (Sunday) at Prorlean Thmar area, with the objective of instigating confrontations.’
The Cambodian spokesperson emphasized that their forces ‘did not retaliate at all during the two assaults’ and continue to monitor the situation ‘vigilantly and with utmost caution standing on the spirit of respecting all previous agreements and resolving conflicts peacefully according to international law.’
Cambodia has formally informed the ASEAN Observer Team about the incident and plans to request an official investigation into the matter, potentially internationalizing the border dispute that has periodically flared between the Southeast Asian neighbors.