War law in two provinces: New front in fighting between Thailand and Cambodia

The third day in a row broke out on the border between Thailand and Cambodia in the morning. In the meantime there is a new front further south, especially in the Thai province, the newspaper “Khaosod” reported, citing the military. Both sides accused each other again to have opened the fire. In the meantime, the Thai Navy has also been involved in the conflict.

The conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, which has been smoldering for decades, was dangerously escalated on Thursday. After changing the fires on the border, the Thai military, according to combat jets, had used fighter jets against Cambodian positions. Cambodia reacted with artillery fire, also to residential areas. It is still unclear who opened the fire.

Already on Friday evening, Thailand’s armed forces in eight districts of the provinces occurred and Chanthaburi imposed war law. This was justified by the “persistent threats to national security” by the neighboring country. War law makes it easier for the military to carry out all the necessary operations in order to preserve peace and order, the Foreign Ministry said.

So far, 13 people have been killed in Cambodia, including 8 civilians, the newspaper “Phnom Penh Post” reported, citing the Ministry of Defense. More than 70 people were injured, including 50 civilians. According to the latest statements, 14 deaths were recorded in Thailand, including 13 civilians. More than 60 people were seriously injured. According to the government in Thailand, around 130,000 people are on the run.

Cambodia called for an immediate end of the fire fighting. The Cambodian UN ambassador Chea Keo said after a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York: “Cambodia called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, and we also call for a peaceful solution to the conflict.” Thailand could not credibly accuse Cambodia of attacking the country, since its army was only a third as big as the Thailands.

Conversely, the Thai UN ambassador Cherdchai Chaivaivid called for an optional end to hostility by Cambodia at the UN session to start a dialogue. He spoke of an “illegal and arbitrary act of aggression”. The two countries are close neighbors – violence must come to an end.

What are the two neighbors argue about?

The two countries separate a more than 800 km long border, the course of which was still determined in the colonial period. The governments in Bangkok and Phnom Penh interpret this boundary difference. Above all, the dispute over the Temple Preah Vihear (presumably from the 10th to 12th centuries), which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 and is claimed by both countries.