Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute: A History of Clashes

The recent clash between Cambodian and Thai troops on Thursday highlights a long-standing border dispute rooted in a 1907 French colonial map. This vagueness has led to conflicting interpretations and contested claims, particularly over areas with historical temples. Intermittent military engagements have occurred since 2008, with a significant deadly conflict in 2011 resulting in casualties and displacement, despite a UN court order for troop withdrawal and a demilitarized zone. A Cambodian soldier's death in May 2025 further strained relations, preceding a recent skirmish that caused civilian injuries and one fatality, prompting evacuations and damaging diplomatic ties.