Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes following a renewed outbreak of hostilities along the disputed Thailand-Cambodia frontier. The latest violence, which has resulted in multiple casualties, marks a significant escalation and the collapse of a months-long truce.
Sources report that over 500,000 people from border communities in both nations have been evacuated to temporary shelters, including pagodas and schools. The exodus comes amid reports of aerial bombardments and artillery exchanges in the area.
The conflict centers on a long-standing territorial dispute over the demarcation of the 800-kilometer border, a legacy of the colonial era. Tensions have repeatedly flared around several historic temple sites claimed by both countries.
This week’s clashes are described as the most severe since major fighting last summer. Authorities on each side have accused the other of initiating the attacks and targeting civilian areas, including allegations of shelling near a hospital and a temple.
One evacuee, a farmer from Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, described fleeing her home for the second time in recent months after a sudden explosion. “I just had to run for my life,” she said, expressing a hope to return to her land in peace.
In response to the crisis, a curfew has been imposed in parts of the affected Thai border region. Meanwhile, Cambodia has withdrawn its delegation from a regional sporting event hosted by Thailand, citing security concerns for its athletes.
Internationally, there are renewed calls for diplomacy to halt the fighting. A prominent world leader has announced plans to engage with both governments directly, expressing confidence in being able to broker a cessation of hostilities. Previous ceasefire agreements, facilitated with international support, have proven fragile, with one being suspended late last year.
Officials in Bangkok have stated that while a diplomatic resolution is the ultimate goal, the immediate priority is security, suggesting that talks cannot proceed without rebuilding trust. The path forward remains uncertain as displaced families wait in shelters, hoping for a durable peace that will allow them to return home.