Cambodia-Thailand Conflict: Over 100,000 people left home amid border dispute

By Thursday night, more than 100,000 Thai citizens had been moved to temporary shelters in the provinces of Surin, Buriram, and Si Sa Ket, which are close to the border with Cambodia, the Thai interior ministry reported.

Bangkok: The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has caused a huge humanitarian problem. Over one lakh people have had to leave their homes in just two days of conflict.

Villagers, including kids and older people, were seen running away with their things in plastic bags during the night. The coflict continued as shells were fired from both sides.

By Thursday night, more than 100,000 Thai citizens had been moved to temporary shelters in the provinces of Surin, Buriram, and Si Sa Ket, which are close to the border with Cambodia, the Thai interior ministry reported. More than 4,000 people were displaced from border villages in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, as stated by local officials.

Footage showed residents leaving their homes and taking shelter under tarpaulin sheets. A Cambodian official said, “The war is still going on. ” Tensions remain high. The latest fighting started around 4:30 am. on Friday when Cambodians reportedly used small and heavy weapons. In response, the Thai army fired artillery and later targeted Cambodian military bases with F-16 jets. The clashes happened in two places in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province and one in Surin.

According to reports, so far, 14 people have died in Thailand, most of them civilians. In Cambodia, one person was killed and five others were injured. The disagreements between the two countries have been building for months over disputed land along an 800-kilometer border that was drawn by French colonial rulers.

The area has many ancient temples and historical sites that both countries claim as their own. The recent violence happened after a landmine exploded and injured five Thai soldiers. In May, another clash near the tri-border area where Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos meet resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Despite their strong cultural and economic connections, the two countries have very different military strengths.

Thailand's military is much larger and more powerful, with more than 360,000 active troops—over three times that of Cambodia's.
Thailand is also a major non-NATO ally of the United States, receiving military aid and support from the US for many years. Countries like Japan, the United States, and China have called for both Thailand and Cambodia to show restraint and avoid further escalation of the situation.