SRINAGAR: Fierce fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered its second day on Tuesday, leaving at least 10 people dead and forcing more than 140,000 civilians to flee their homes on both sides of the disputed border.
The escalation marks the most serious breakdown yet of the peace agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump earlier this year.
Cambodia has reported at least seven fatalities, while Thailand has confirmed three deaths, according to local officials cited by Bangkok Post and Khmer Times. The renewed hostilities have included Thai airstrikes, artillery exchanges and accusations from Phnom Penh that fresh landmines have been planted along the frontier.
The clashes erupted months after the Trump-backed peace pact pledged de-mining efforts, withdrawal of heavy weapons and the release of prisoners along the 800-km-long border. But the deal now appears to be collapsing under the weight of repeated violations and growing mistrust between the two sides.
In Cambodia, the Ministry of Education has temporarily closed schools in parts of Preah Vihear province near the border, AFP reported. The Cambodian Defence Ministry said, in a statement cited by Khmer Times, that from 8:39 pm on 8 December until 8 am on 9 December, Thai forces conducted “intense shelling” in Chok Chey and Prey Chan villages. The ministry also accused Thailand of deploying drones for reconnaissance and expanding military operations across several districts of Battambang province using “heavy and destructive weapons” and gas.
Thailand, meanwhile, said two of its soldiers were killed in the latest clashes, raising the Thai death toll to three since fighting began on December 7, Bangkok Post reported, citing the Royal Thai Army.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told the BBC that the ceasefire was “not working”, accusing Cambodia of violating the Trump-brokered agreement. He added that Thailand would seek continued involvement from Washington only if it could help ensure “genuine peace and not just something on a piece of paper”. Diplomatic prospects, he warned, remained bleak unless Cambodia altered its approach.
Cambodia has also claimed that Thailand has not yet released 18 Cambodian soldiers detained during the clashes, with Al Jazeera reporting that Bangkok insists it will free them only after Phnom Penh fulfils its obligations under the agreement.
As both sides trade accusations and intensify military operations, the future of the fragile peace framework appears increasingly uncertain, raising concerns of a broader humanitarian and security crisis along the heavily militarised border.
