Thailand and Cambodia Air Strikes Show How Quickly Peace Can Break at the Border

Post by : Saif Nasser

The return of air strikes and heavy fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has once again pushed the region toward fear and uncertainty. What was once a fragile ceasefire has now collapsed, showing how quickly old wounds can reopen when trust disappears and weapons take over.

Thailand confirmed that it launched air strikes inside Cambodian territory after fresh clashes erupted along the disputed border. At least one Thai soldier was killed and several others were wounded. Thailand says its air force targeted Cambodian military positions to prevent further escalation.

Cambodia tells a different story. Its defence ministry said Thai forces launched early morning attacks and claimed that Cambodian troops did not fire back. It also reported that three Cambodian civilians were seriously injured. Former Cambodian leader Hun Sen accused Thailand of acting as aggressors and urged his military to remain calm and avoid retaliation.

What makes this situation more alarming is the scale of civilian suffering. In Thailand, more than 385,000 people are being evacuated from border areas. Over 35,000 people are already living in temporary shelters. Families have been forced to leave their homes, farms and schools with very little notice.

On the Cambodian side, civilians are also fleeing. Entire families in towns near the border are moving away after hearing artillery fire and explosions. Thousands of families have already been relocated to safer areas.

This conflict did not begin overnight. The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia goes back more than a century. The border was first mapped in 1907 during French colonial rule. Parts of it were never clearly defined. This has led to repeated clashes over the years, including violent fighting in 2011 and a deadly five day conflict just a few months ago.

In July this year, dozens of people were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced when rockets and heavy weapons were exchanged. With the help of the United States and Malaysia, a ceasefire was signed. Later, a stronger peace agreement was reached. Many believed the worst was over.

That hope faded when Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new landmines. A Thai soldier was badly injured by a blast, and Thailand announced it would stop following the ceasefire. Tensions slowly built up again until they exploded into fresh fighting this week.

This crisis shows a painful truth. Peace agreements are fragile when there is no deep trust. Words on paper cannot stop fear, anger or suspicion. When communication breaks down, guns become the language of conflict.

The real victims are not politicians or military leaders. They are the farmers, children and elderly people who run from their homes. They are the families who sleep in shelters. They are the workers who lose their livelihoods overnight.

ASEAN leaders have called for restraint and open communication. This is the only sensible path forward. More bombs and more bullets will not solve a border problem that has existed for over a hundred years.

Thailand and Cambodia must return to dialogue. International mediators must stay involved. And most importantly, both sides must put human life before national pride.

History will not remember who fired first. It will remember how many lives were saved or lost.

Peace is not a weakness. It is the strongest decision a nation can make.

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