Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting on the border?

Long-simmering tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared up again on their border, undermining a fragile ceasefire backed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

At least three Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians have been killed since Monday, with both countries blaming each other for the violence.

The clashes were the most serious since a ceasefire was agreed in July, and Thailand also launched air strikes on the border.

This is not a recent controversy. The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back more than a century, when their border was drawn after France occupied Cambodia.

Hostilities escalated in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register an 11th-century temple in the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The move was strongly protested by Thailand.

Sporadic clashes have occurred over the years, with casualties among soldiers and civilians.

The latest heightened tensions came after a Cambodian soldier was killed in clashes in May. This has brought relations between the two countries to their lowest point in more than a decade.

running First battle in Julyboth countries have implemented border restrictions. Cambodia has banned imports from Thailand, including fruits and vegetables, electricity supplies and internet services.

The two countries have also stepped up military presence along their border in recent weeks.

Both sides gave different versions of what happened.

The Thai Army said on Monday, December 8, that its troops responded to a Cambodian fire in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. A Thai soldier was allegedly killed.

The Thai military said it also launched air strikes against military targets along the disputed border.

However, the Cambodian Defense Ministry said it was Thai troops who first attacked Preah Vihear province. Cambodia also insists it will not retaliate.

The next day, the Thai military accused Cambodia of firing rockets, dropping drones and kamikaze drones at Thai soldiers, with some rockets reportedly hitting civilian areas.

It was later confirmed that it had carried out more airstrikes.

Cambodia also accuses Thailand of indiscriminate shooting into civilian areas in its border province of Pursat.

There was an exchange of gunfire, with each claiming that the other had started the conflict.

The situation escalated quickly, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of launching rockets and Bangkok carrying out air strikes on Cambodian military targets.

Five days of fighting left at least 48 people dead and thousands more displaced.

Trump later intervened and negotiated a ceasefire with the help of Malaysia.

The US president later oversaw the signing of what he called the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement” in October. Thailand declined to call it that, instead referring to it as a “Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia on the Outcomes of the Kuala Lumpur Conference.”

Both sides agreed to withdraw heavy weapons from the disputed area and set up a temporary observation group for monitoring.

Next steps should include the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers held in Thailand.

Thailand suspended the deal in November, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul saying security threats “have not actually decreased”.

At the time, Cambodia said it remained committed to the terms of the agreement.

After fighting broke out again in December, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told the BBC that the ceasefire “is not working” and that “the ball is in Cambodia’s court”.

However, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that Cambodia did not fight back until late on Monday in order to “respect the ceasefire”.

Meanwhile, Trump called on both sides to respect the agreement, Reuters reported.

Where it will go next is unclear.

While there have been serious exchanges of fire in the past, the situation de-escalated relatively quickly.

Back in July, our reporter Jonathan Head thought it would be down this road again.

However, he warned that both countries currently lack the leadership with the strength and confidence to extricate themselves from this confrontation.

You can read more His analysis from earlier this year is here.

For those traveling to Thailand, the UK Foreign Office currently advises against traveling within 50 kilometers of the Cambodian border unless necessary.

For those in Cambodia, it is recommended not to travel to border areas within 50 kilometers of the border with Thailand unless necessary.

You can check the latest travel advice on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.