Thailand and Cambodia’s Renewed Border Conflict Forces Evacuations

Ancient Territorial Disputes Flare Again as Civilians Flee Violence

By Jessica Thompson | International Affairs Correspondent

In a troubling resurgence of long-simmering tensions, hundreds of civilians have been forced to evacuate their homes as armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia intensified along their disputed border this week. The conflict, which has claimed several lives and left dozens injured, represents the most serious escalation in hostilities between the two Southeast Asian neighbors since 2011. As displaced families seek shelter in makeshift evacuation centers, international observers are growing increasingly concerned that this localized dispute could undermine regional stability if diplomatic efforts fail to gain traction.

Families Flee as Artillery Exchanges Intensify

Under the cover of darkness, Cambodian villagers loaded whatever possessions they could salvage onto tractors and motorcycles, forming a somber caravan away from the conflict zone. On the Thai side, residents huddled in concrete drainage pipes and hastily established evacuation centers, their faces illuminated only by the blue glow of mobile phones as they attempted to contact relatives. “We had just ten minutes to gather our things before the shelling started again,” said Somchai Phanomwan, a 53-year-old farmer from Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province. “My home is less than three kilometers from the border. When the first explosions happened, the ground shook beneath our feet.”

Local officials report that approximately 1,500 Thai citizens and 2,200 Cambodians have been displaced since fighting erupted near the temple complex of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been a flashpoint for territorial disputes between the nations for decades. The Thai military has established temporary shelters in school gymnasiums and community centers, while Cambodian authorities have directed evacuees to facilities further inland. “We are providing essential supplies, including food, water, and medical care,” said Colonel Apirat Kongsompong of the Thai Army’s northeastern command. “Our priority is ensuring civilian safety until the situation stabilizes.”

Historical Context of a Contentious Boundary

The current hostilities are rooted in a complex historical dispute that dates back to the colonial era. The border between Thailand and Cambodia was demarcated by France when Cambodia was part of French Indochina, leaving several contested areas after Cambodia gained independence in 1953. The 11th-century Preah Vihear temple has been particularly controversial, with both nations claiming sovereignty. In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia, a ruling that Thailand reluctantly accepted while continuing to claim the surrounding land.

“This conflict exemplifies how colonial-era boundaries continue to generate tension in the modern era,” explains Dr. Charnvit Kasetsiri, a Southeast Asian history expert at Thammasat University in Bangkok. “The temple itself is merely the visible symbol of deeper disagreements over territory, national identity, and historical narratives that both countries hold dear.” The dispute remained relatively dormant until 2008 when UNESCO listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site under Cambodian management, triggering nationalist sentiments in both countries. Between 2008 and 2011, sporadic armed clashes resulted in dozens of casualties and displaced thousands before a tentative cease-fire took hold.

Diplomatic Efforts Struggle Amid Domestic Politics

Regional leaders and international organizations have responded swiftly to the renewed conflict, with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has offered to mediate talks between the two countries, while the United Nations Secretary-General has urged restraint from both sides. “We are deeply concerned by the escalation of violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border,” said UN spokesperson Mariana Fernandez. “The protection of civilians must be the highest priority while diplomatic solutions are pursued.”

However, observers note that domestic political considerations may complicate peace efforts. In Thailand, where the military retains significant influence despite formal democratic institutions, border security has been framed as a matter of national sovereignty. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces pressure from nationalist factions not to appear weak on territorial issues. Similarly, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father Hun Sen in 2023, must balance diplomatic pragmatism with the need to demonstrate resolve to his domestic audience. “Both leaders understand the economic cost of prolonged conflict, but neither can afford to be perceived as surrendering national interests,” says Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University. “This creates a challenging environment for negotiations.”

Economic and Humanitarian Impact Spreads Beyond Border Areas

The economic consequences of the conflict are already reverberating beyond the immediate border region. Cross-border trade, valued at approximately $7.9 billion annually, has ground to a halt in affected areas. Tourism, a critical source of revenue for both countries, has suffered as international travelers cancel visits to nearby attractions. The province of Si Sa Ket in Thailand and Preah Vihear in Cambodia, both economically dependent on agriculture and cross-border commerce, face particular hardship as farmers cannot access their fields and small businesses lose customers.

Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms about the vulnerability of displaced populations, particularly children, the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions. “We’re seeing families who have lost everything, with limited access to basic necessities,” said Maria Nguyen of Doctors Without Borders, which has deployed medical teams to evacuation centers. “Many arrived with only the clothes they were wearing.” Public health officials are working to prevent disease outbreaks in crowded evacuation facilities, while psychological support services attempt to address the trauma experienced by civilians caught in the crossfire. “The children are especially affected,” noted Thai Red Cross volunteer Sunthorn Witthayapong. “Many jump at loud noises and have difficulty sleeping after what they’ve witnessed.”

Path Forward Requires Regional Cooperation

As the conflict enters its second week, analysts suggest that a sustainable resolution will require not only bilateral negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia but also constructive engagement from regional powers and multilateral institutions. China, which maintains strong economic ties with both countries, has offered to facilitate dialogue while carefully avoiding taking sides. The United States has urged restraint while emphasizing the importance of respecting international law and existing judicial decisions regarding territorial claims.

“What’s needed is a face-saving solution that allows both governments to claim they’ve protected national interests while de-escalating military tensions,” argues Elizabeth Becker, author of “Temple of a Thousand Faces,” a book about the Preah Vihear dispute. “This might involve establishing demilitarized zones around contested areas, creating joint economic development projects, or implementing shared management of cultural heritage sites.” For now, as diplomatic envoys shuttle between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, the civilians sheltering in evacuation centers can only wait and hope for a resolution that will allow them to return to their homes. Nine-year-old Sopheak, who fled with his family from a Cambodian village near the border, expressed the sentiment felt by many when he said simply: “I just want the fighting to stop so I can go back to school and see my friends again.”

In a region that has worked diligently to overcome historical animosities and build economic cooperation, the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict serves as a stark reminder that unresolved territorial disputes can quickly undermine decades of progress. How the two nations navigate this crisis will have profound implications not only for their bilateral relationship but for ASEAN’s credibility as a framework for regional conflict resolution.