Cambodian Army Deploys Troops to Thai Border After Fatal Clash

BANGKOK, May 28, 2025 — Tensions escalated along the Thailand-Cambodia border today as the Cambodian Army deployed additional troops following a deadly clash that resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier. The skirmish, which occurred early Wednesday morning in a disputed border area near Chong Bok in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province, marks a rare fatality in a region long fraught with territorial disputes.

According to a statement from the Royal Thai Army, the clash began around 5:45 a.m. when Thai forces detected Cambodian soldiers allegedly attempting to establish a position in an undemarcated zone claimed by both nations. Thai troops from the Suranaree Command’s Task Force 1 approached to investigate, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire. The Thai military claimed the Cambodian side fired first, prompting a retaliatory response. No Thai casualties were reported.

Cambodian army spokesperson Mao Phalla offered a contrasting account, asserting that Thai soldiers initiated the attack on Cambodian troops conducting a routine patrol in northern Preah Vihear province, which borders Ubon Ratchathani. “Our soldiers died in the trenches. The Thais came to attack us,” Phalla said, confirming one Cambodian soldier was killed and others injured, though exact figures remain unclear. The body of the fallen soldier has been transported for funeral rites.

The clash, which lasted approximately 10 minutes, ended after local commanders negotiated a ceasefire. Both sides remain in a standoff, with Thai and Cambodian troops maintaining positions in the contested area. Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai described the incident as an act of self-defense to protect Thai sovereignty, noting it was the second such incident in the disputed zone near Hill 745, Chong Bok. He emphasized ongoing high-level talks to de-escalate the situation.

The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence condemned the clash as an “unwarranted escalation” and reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful resolution while warning it would protect its territorial integrity “at all costs.” The ministry also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, citing risks of further inflaming tensions.

The deployment of additional Cambodian troops to the border, reported by multiple sources including AFP, has raised concerns about further escalation. Posts on X reflected growing unease, with users noting the historical context of border disputes dating back to 2008, particularly around the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Thailand-Cambodia border has a history of sporadic violence, most notably between 2008 and 2011, when clashes over the Preah Vihear temple and surrounding areas resulted in at least 28 deaths. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but overlapping claims to adjacent land remain unresolved, fueling periodic tensions.

Regional analysts suggest the latest incident may stem from misunderstandings in a poorly demarcated area, exacerbated by domestic political pressures. In Thailand, the Pheu Thai-led government faces scrutiny from nationalists over border policies, while Cambodia’s leadership, under Prime Minister Hun Manet, has vowed to defend its sovereignty.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both nations are members, has yet to issue a formal statement, though past conflicts prompted calls for dialogue and restraint. For now, both sides have agreed to maintain the status quo, prohibiting actions like construction or troop movements without prior notification, as per a 2000 Memorandum of Understanding.

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