Why do Thailand and Cambodia fight at the border?

On Thursday, the tension between Thailand and Cambodia exploded into the deadly battle.

At least 12 Thai citizens, most of whom are civilians, said the Thai authorities.

How many people – if any – lost their lives on the Cambodian side is unknown.

Each side accuses each other of the escalation, which is reported to have started with the fire above the border.

Thailand accused Cambodia of shooting rockets, while Bangkok conducted air strikes on Cambodian military purposes.

So how did we get here – and where is it going?

This is not a recent dispute. In fact, the argument between Thailand and Cambodia goes back for more than a century, when the borders of the two countries were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia.

Things officially became hostile in 2008, when Cambodia tried to register the 11th century temple, located in the disputed area as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was met with a passionate protest from Thailand.

For many years, there have been sporadic contractions that saw soldiers and civilians on both sides.

The last tension increased in May after the Cambodian soldier died in the collision. This was immersed in bilateral ties with the lowest point for more than ten years.

Over the past two months, both countries have imposed border restrictions on each other. Cambodia banned imports from Thailand, such as fruits and vegetables, and ceased to import power and online services.

In recent weeks, both countries have also strengthened the presence of troops.

Thailand and Cambodia gave different versions of what happened.

The Thai National Security Council (NSC) claims that immediately after 7:30 local time (00: 30GMT), the Cambodia’s military drones opened drones to monitor the Thai troops near the border.

Shortly after the border, the Cambodian troops were transporting rocket grenades. The soldiers from the Thai side tried negotiations, shouted, but were unsuccessful, the NSC press -secretary said, adding that Cambodian soldiers opened fire at about 8:20, forcing the Thai side to take revenge.

Thailand accused Cambodia of placing heavy weapons, including BM-21 and artillery missile units, causing harm to houses and public facilities, including the hospital and the gas station along the Thai border.

Meanwhile, Cambodia claims that Thai soldiers initiated a conflict at about 6:30, when they broke the previous agreement, moving in the Hermer Hinda temple near the border and placing barbed wire around its base.

Then the Thai soldiers opened the drone immediately after 7:00, and fired “into the air” about 08:30, according to Mali Socrates, a press secretary of the Cambodia Ministry.

At 08:46, Thai soldiers “pre -” opened fire on Cambodian troops, leaving them nothing but showing their right to self -defense, according to a Phnom Post, quoted by Socheata.

Socrates then accused Thailand of deploying excessive troops, using heavy weapons and air strikes in Cambodian territory.

Acting Prime Minister Thailand Fumtem, the Fumtem stated that his dispute with Cambodia remains “gentle” and should be resolved with caution in accordance with international law.

Cambodia Prime Minister Hong Monet said his country wants to resolve the dispute peacefully and that it has no “choice” but “responding to armed force against armed aggression.”

While serious fire exchanges occurred in the past, they were de -rapidly de -escaped – the path of our correspondent Jonathan’s head considers again.

However, he warns that at the moment there is a lack of leadership with force and confidence to retreat from this confrontation in both countries.

You can read more his analysis here.

The fighting that stands is very localized, and until the British foreign service has issued a specific advice on trips at the time of writing.

However, he has already called on travelers to lead to “additional assistance” in the area after the closure of the border crossings in recent weeks – “especially in tourist directions, such as the Temple Preah Vihear, Temple Ta Kwai and Temple Ta Muen Thom”.

You can check out the latest travel tips on the FCDO site.

Meanwhile, China urged its citizens in Cambodia to avoid the Thai border.