How a clash between Thailand and Cambodia has left thousands stranded
Thousands of travellers have been left stranded after Thailand unexpectedly closed two of its border crossings with Cambodia, citing safety concerns amid renewed tensions between the two countries.
The closures followed a military clash last week in the disputed Emerald Triangle region, where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos meet.
On May 28, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish near the contested border area.
The incident has revived long-standing tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations, which have seen periodic confrontations along their 800-kilometre frontier.
Border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia date back decades, fuelled by conflicting territorial claims and historical grievances.
Talks were held over the weekend in an effort to de-escalate the situation, and both countries agreed to reposition troops away from areas of confrontation to avoid further conflict.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed on social media that discussions with Cambodian officials had produced what she called a “positive conclusion” and that both sides had pledged to reduce military tensions by adjusting their deployments.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence also echoed that message, saying military commanders had reached an agreement to move their forces to more neutral positions.
Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who remains a powerful voice in the country’s politics, praised the talks and urged both sides to prioritise diplomacy over confrontation.
Despite this temporary agreement, the situation remains fragile.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on Monday, June 9, that his government would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice over the latest border dispute.
While the ICJ ruled in 2013 that the area around the Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, Thailand has never formally accepted the court’s jurisdiction in the matter.
The Thai border closures have had an immediate impact on local economies and cross-border communities.
With many travellers caught off guard by the shutdown, border towns are now seeing large numbers of stranded tourists and disrupted trade.
Further talks are expected to take place on June 14, but for now, uncertainty continues to grip the region as both governments try to contain tensions that have proven difficult to resolve for over a decade.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
