Thailand accused Cambodia of violating a 10-day-old truce with cross-border mortar fire that wounded a Thai soldier, while Phnom Penh said a separate blast from a “pile of garbage” injured two of its own troops along their contested frontier.
The Thai army said Cambodian forces fired mortar rounds into Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province this morning, breaching the ceasefire agreed on December 27 to halt weeks of border clashes. In a later statement, Thai officials said Cambodian counterparts contacted a Thai unit to insist there was “no intention to fire into Thai territory,” blaming the incident on “an operational error by Cambodian personnel.”
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Thailand’s military said it warned Cambodia to exercise “caution,” adding that if a similar incident occurs, Bangkok may need to retaliate. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters his government had lodged a protest with Phnom Penh, saying “the truce was violated.” He added that at the military-to-military level Thailand had been told the incident was accidental, but that Bangkok is seeking clarification on “how responsibility will be taken,” and noted Thailand has the “capability to respond.”
Cambodia’s defence ministry spokeswoman, Maly Socheata, said two Cambodian soldiers were injured—one seriously—this morning in Preah Vihear province, opposite Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani. She said the injuries occurred when “an explosion occurred from a pile of garbage” as forces were carrying out “organisation and orderliness” duties. Socheata did not address the strike alleged by Thailand but said border coordination teams from both countries consulted on the Cambodian incident and addressed the matter.
The explosion took place in the Emerald Triangle, the rugged frontier where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos converge. The area has been a frequent flashpoint. In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight with Thai troops there, reigniting tensions that have periodically flared for decades.
The latest exchange underscores the fragility of the truce struck late last month after three weeks of clashes. Fighting in December killed dozens of people and displaced around one million on both sides, according to officials, before the ceasefire halted hostilities and included pledges to stop firing, freeze troop movements and cooperate on demining along the border.
On December 31, Bangkok released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during July fighting, a move Thailand’s foreign ministry described as “a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building.” Phnom Penh said last week it was “hopeful” their return would “significantly contribute to building mutual trust.” A truce brokered in July by the United States, China and Malaysia failed to hold, and sporadic confrontations continued through the year.
The long-running dispute centers on the colonial-era demarcation of the countries’ 800-kilometer (500-mile) border, where both sides claim territory and centuries-old temple ruins. While guns have frequently fallen silent under short-lived ceasefires, the underlying issue—where the line should be drawn—remains unresolved.
Tensions have persisted since the December truce took effect. One week after the agreement, Cambodia called on Thailand to withdraw forces from several border areas Phnom Penh claims. The Thai military rejected the accusations, saying its troops are stationed in areas that have always belonged to Thailand.
In a statement today, Cambodia’s defence ministry said Phnom Penh has proposed a meeting of the bilateral border committee with Thai counterparts to be held this month in Siem Reap province. Bangkok has said previously that technical discussions on surveying and demarcation may need to wait for Thailand’s next government following elections scheduled for February 8.
For now, both sides say they are communicating through military channels to contain the latest flare-up. Whether the December ceasefire holds will likely depend on rapid clarification of this morning’s incidents and progress toward a durable process to finally settle the border.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
