Ancalter arguments escalated: Heavy fights on the border between Thailand and Cambodia

A conflict between Thailand and Cambodia that has been smoldering for decades is dangerously escalated: after a violent change of shooting on the border in the morning, the Thai military has used matters against Cambodian positions. In Thailand, fatalities and injuries were reported by Cambodian artillery fire. The Southeast Asian neighbors accuse each other of having triggered the escalation.

Both countries separate a more than 800 km long border. The roots of the conflict lie in the colonial period when France set the border. However, the governments of both nations interpret this boundaries differently. At the center of the dispute is the Temple Proh Vihear (presumably from the 10th to 12th centuries), which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

Both the temple dedicated to the Hindu-Gott Shiva and the surrounding area are claimed by both countries. In the past, there have been several shootouts between the opponents of the opponents, who also demanded fatalities.

Shots, rockets and fighter jets

The situation had dramatically moved in the morning (local time). There were initially firing changes, especially in the province of Surin in the northeast of Thailand. While the Thai army explained that Cambodian soldiers had opened the fire on a military base near the well-known Khmer Temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Kambodcha accused the neighboring country.

Thailand is said to have used his air force against Cambodian military goals along the border in response to the morning battles. According to the Thai local military command, two Cambodian regional military headquarters were hit. There was initially no confirmation from Cambodia.

Cambodia, on the other hand, fired BM-21 rockets to residential areas, it said from Thailand’s army. She spoke of “violent and inhumane deeds on the Cambodian side”. According to the government in Bangkok, at least eleven civilians were killed on the Thai side.

On images and videos spread by Thai authorities, you can see how dense black clouds of smoke rose from a gas station. According to media reports, a small supermarket and a hospital were also met.

Shouted, frightened people in the region had to bring themselves to safety in bunkers. Observers fear further tightening of the conflict in the next few days.

What triggered the latest escalation?

The dispute had recently moved back after a change of shooting between soldiers from both countries at the end of May. A Cambodian soldier near the Chong Bok control point was killed. At the end of June, Thailand announced that the border crossings in six provinces.

Since then, the saber rattling had continued to intensify. It was only on Wednesday that several Thai soldiers were injured by the explosion of landmines in the controversial region. According to the army, one lost one leg. Thailand accuses the neighboring country of having recently laid the mines.

The diplomatic relationships were then downgraded. Thailand called back his ambassador from Phnom Penh on Wednesday and at the same time showed the Cambodian ambassador.

Shortly after the outbreak of the current battle, Thailand’s message in Cambodia recommended that they are permanently or temporarily in Cambodia and whose stay is not absolutely necessary to leave the country as quickly as possible – “as far as this is certainly possible”.

What do the governments of both countries say?

The government in Bangkok spoke of a “serious violation of international law” and asked Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents and to immediately stop attacks on civil and military goals. Thailand is ready to intensify his “self -defense measures” if the attacks should not stop.

The Cambodian version of the events sounds very different: “Cambodia has always campaigned for a peaceful solution to problems, but in this case we have no choice but to react to armed aggressions with armed forces,” wrote Prime Minister Hun Manet on Facebook. He urged the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to the “unprovoked, intentional and targeted attack on Cambodia”.

Are there many tourists in the region?

The combat area is located far from the well -known tourist path. Thailand vacationers rarely get lost in the province of Surin, about 400 kilometers from Bangkok, and the northwest Cambodia is also not a classic travel destination.

The Thai tourism industry has been trying to market the structurally weak northeast for years. The region, known as “Isan”, is particularly famous for its spicy and sharp kitchen. However, tourists continue to prefer the north with famous cities such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The Federal Foreign Office has been advising to the border area for weeks before traveling.