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Deadly border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand have displaced more than half a million people, reviving a long standing territorial dispute and raising urgent concerns as regional leaders prepare talks aimed at calming one of Southeast Asia’s most volatile frontiers.
Over half a million Cambodians displaced by border clashes.
Phnom Penh: More than five hundred thousand people in Cambodia have been driven from their homes after nearly two weeks of intense fighting along the border with Thailand. Authorities in Phnom Penh said entire communities were forced to flee as artillery fire and air strikes struck villages close to the frontier. Schools and public facilities were also abandoned as families searched for safety.
Thailand has reported a similar humanitarian impact, stating that hundreds of thousands of its citizens were displaced by the fighting. Many continue to live in temporary shelters as security forces warn that unexploded weapons and landmines still pose serious risks.
The clashes have resulted in heavy loss of life in both countries. Officials confirmed that at least nineteen people were killed in Cambodia, while Thailand reported more than twenty deaths. The violence has involved modern military equipment including tanks, drones and long range artillery, underscoring how rapidly the conflict has escalated from isolated skirmishes to sustained combat.
Both governments accuse each other of initiating attacks and targeting civilian areas, deepening mistrust and complicating efforts to halt the fighting.
The conflict traces its origins to a territorial disagreement dating back to colonial times. The two countries share an eight hundred kilometre border that remains poorly demarcated in several areas. Scattered along this frontier are ancient temple ruins that hold deep cultural and national significance, making compromise politically sensitive.
Disputed zones near historic sites have repeatedly become flashpoints, with nationalist sentiment on both sides often fueling confrontation.
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One of the most sensitive areas lies near the Preah Vihear temple, a nine hundred year old structure recognized as a world heritage site. Fighting near this location has reignited memories of earlier clashes that claimed dozens of lives between 2008 and 2011.
Although an international court ruling in 2013 favored Cambodia and eased tensions for over a decade, unresolved issues surrounding nearby land resurfaced earlier this year when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a border encounter.
In response to the latest violence, Southeast Asian foreign ministers are set to meet in Kuala Lumpur for talks aimed at easing tensions. Both Phnom Penh and Bangkok have described the meeting as an opportunity to restore stability and rebuild good neighborly relations.
Thailand has outlined conditions for negotiations, including a public truce declaration by Cambodia and cooperation on clearing landmines. Cambodian officials have reiterated their preference for resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy rather than force.
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Previous attempts to halt fighting have struggled to hold. Earlier truces brokered by international and regional actors collapsed amid accusations of violations. Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying new landmines, a claim denied by Phnom Penh.
While global powers have expressed hope for a renewed ceasefire, Thai officials have cautioned that any agreement must align with military assessments on the ground. As a result, clashes have continued almost daily since early December.
The scale of displacement has strained resources in both countries. Cambodian authorities described widespread hardship among those forced to leave their homes, while Thai officials warned that returning residents face dangers from unexploded ordnance. Aid agencies are expected to face mounting challenges as winter conditions and prolonged instability worsen the situation.
As diplomatic talks approach, the situation remains fragile. Continued fighting near sensitive heritage sites and civilian areas raises fears of further escalation. Whether dialogue can succeed where previous efforts failed will shape not only the future of border communities but also regional stability in Southeast Asia.
