Thailand launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, the Thai army said on Monday (8), after both countries accused the other of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump about two months ago.
At least one Thai soldier was killed and four were injured in new clashes that broke out around two areas in Ubon Ratchathani province, in the far east of the country, the Thai army said in a statement, after its troops were hit by Cambodian fire.
“The Thai side has started using aircraft to attack military targets in various areas,” the statement said.
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Thai army launched dawn attacks on its forces in two locations after days of provocative actions, and added that Cambodian troops did not retaliate.
The Thai army said the Cambodian army fired BM-21 rockets at Thai civilian areas, adding that there were no reports of casualties.
The border dispute erupted into a five-day conflict in July, which also saw the signing of an expanded peace agreement between the two countries in Kuala Lumpur in October.
At least 48 people died and an estimated 300,000 were temporarily displaced during July’s clashes, with neighboring countries exchanging rockets and heavy artillery fire.
Following a landmine explosion last month that left one of its soldiers maimed, Thailand announced the suspension of implementation of the pact.
Influential former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, father of current Prime Minister Hun Manet, stated that the Thai military were “aggressors” seeking to provoke a retaliatory response and urged Cambodian forces to exercise restraint.
“The red line for response has already been set. I urge commanders at all levels to instruct all officers and soldiers accordingly,” Hun Sen said on Facebook, without elaborating.
In Thailand, more than 385,000 civilians in four border districts are being moved, with more than 35,000 already housed in temporary shelters, the Thai army said.
Thailand and Cambodia have disputed sovereignty over undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer land border for more than a century, first mapped in 1907 by France, when it governed Cambodia as a colony.
