Why have tensions escalated between Thailand and Cambodia – and is it safe to travel there?

Military clashes have erupted between Thailand and Cambodia, killing at least 12 people, including 11 civilians.

A long-standing dispute over border areas escalated into an exchange of gunfire, shelling and rockets being launched on 24 July, with both sides accusing one another of initiating the violence.

Relations between the Southeast Asian neighbours deteriorated sharply after an armed confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier. Nationalist passions on both sides have further inflamed the situation.

Here is all you need to know about the situation and how it got to this stage.

What is happening in Thailand and Cambodia?

Tensions first broke out on Thursday morning in an area near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple along the border of Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province.

The Thai army said that most casualties occurred in the Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after shots were fired at a fuel station. At least 14 people were injured in three other border provinces.

An eight-year-old boy was among those killed, Thailand’s health minister Somsak Thepsuthin said.

Thailand’s foreign ministry said Cambodian troops fired “heavy artillery” on a Thai military base on Thursday morning and also targeted civilian areas, including a hospital.

In response, the Thai army said a Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed military targets in Cambodia.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said Thai jets had dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, saying it “strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia”.

Clashes are now thought to be ongoing in at least six areas along the border, the Thai defence ministry said.

What caused the escalation?

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have laid claim to undisputed points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border. This has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

Tensions were reignited in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered recent armed clashes.

Both countries agreed to de-escalate tensions, but Cambodian and Thai authorities continued to implement or threaten restrictions on the other.

Tighter restrictions on Thailand’s land border with Cambodia were implemented, stopping almost all crossings except for students, medical patients and others with essential needs. Thai authorities sealed the border entirely after Thursday’s escalation.

Meanwhile, Cambodia has banned Thai movies and TV shows, stopped the import of Thai fuel, fruits and vegetables and boycotted some of its neighbour’s international internet links and power supply.

Earlier on Thursday, Cambodia said it was downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand to their lowest level, expelling the Thai ambassador and recalling all Cambodian staff from its embassy in Bangkok.

That was in response to Thailand withdrawing its ambassador and expelling the Cambodian ambassador a day earlier, in protest against a number of land mine blasts that injured a total of eight Thai soldiers.

Thai authorities alleged the mines were recently laid along paths that by mutual agreement were supposed to be safe. They said the mines were Russian-made and not of a type used by Thailand’s military.

Cambodia accused Thailand of making “baseless accusations”, pointing out that the unexploded mines could have been from previous periods of unrest.

Political fallout

Earlier this month, Thailand’s former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra attempted to resolve tensions via a call with Cambodia’s influential former prime minister and current president of the senate, Hun Sen.

Their conversation was later leaked, revealing Ms Shinawatra referred to Mr Sen – who stepped down as prime minister in favour of his son Hun Manet in 2023 – “uncle” and criticised Thai military leadership.

Her comments caused widespread outrage and protests and led to Ms Shinawatra being suspended from her position on 1 July after a court ruling.

Her ally, former defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai was appointed as acting prime minister.

Mr Wechayachai said on Thursday that fighting between Cambodia and Thailand must stop before negotiations between the two sides can begin.

Is it safe to travel there?

The neighbouring countries are both hugely popular with tourists, but since tensions escalated on the border on Thursday, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has updated its advice for individuals already in the area or planning to visit.

The FCDO website states: “There are reports of fighting including rocket and artillery fire on 24 July between Thailand and Cambodia at several locations along the border. Casualties have been reported, as well as evacuations of areas close to the border.”

It adds that British nationals should “exercise a high level of vigilance in border areas” and “follow the instructions of local authorities. There are also unexploded landmines in the border area”.

The US Embassy in Thailand also released new advice, telling US citizens to “follow direction from Thai security services and consult local government authorities for the latest information”.

Why is the border contested?

Tensions over the border largely stem back to a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule that was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand.

Cambodia has used the map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand has argued the map is inaccurate.

The most prominent and violent conflicts have been over the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Cambodia sovereignty over the temple area, which caused irritation between the neighbouring countries.

Cambodia went back to the court in 2011, following several clashes between its army and Thai forces that killed about 20 people and displaced thousands. The court reaffirmed the ruling in Cambodia’s favour in 2013.

Cambodia has again turned to the international court to resolve the border disputes but Thailand has rejected the court’s jurisdiction.