Both sides claim portions of the lengthy, wooded boundary between the two nations. There have also been significant gunfights in the past; 40 people were murdered in similar-scale incidents in 2008 and 2011. These were de-escalated really soon, though.
Both sides were eager to stop more violence even as late as last May, following an incident in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. To that end, army chiefs from both nations met to attempt to reduce tension. However, it erupted on July 24. Twelve persons, all civilians save for one, were murdered, according to Thai officials. Cambodia has not yet confirmed whether any people were killed. But why has this specific border conflict grown into something so much bigger? It began on Wednesday when a landmine exploded, injuring five Thai soldiers.
When Hun Sen, the senior leader of Cambodia, leaked a phone conversation with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over the disputed boundary last month, relations between the two nations took a severe turn for the worse.
The people were incensed when Paetongtarn referred to him as “uncle” and criticised one of her own military leaders during the exchange. Since then, she has been suspended as prime minister, and a petition to remove her from office is being considered by Thailand’s Constitutional Court.
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