War and Conflict Journal

Thailand-Cambodia

Border Dispute 

Thailand and Cambodia are neighboring countries in Southeast Asia with a long common border and a history of wars and disputes between them. The lastest border dispute erupted into violence in October of 2008 and April of 2009, as troops from both nations exchanged fire over ownership of an ancient temple and the surrounding land.

In addition to the border dispute, the Thai government expressed extreme displeasure when Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen recently praised former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra and offered a him a job. Hun Sen appointed Thaksin, who convicted on corruption charges in Thailand, as an economic advisor. Thaksin was overthrown by the Thai military in a coup in 2006.

October 3, 2008–Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire with each other on the disputed territory near the Preah Vihear Temple. The fighting lasted for nearly only a few minutes, leaving two Thai soldiers and one Cambodian soldier wounded.October 6, 2008– Two Thai soldiers were wounded by exploding landmines in the border area after entering a little more than a half mile into Cambodian territory.

October 14, 2008 –Cambodian and Thai forces opened fire on each other in the border area, leaving three Cambodian soldiers dead and two Cambodian and seven Thai soldiers wounded. One wounded Thai soldier later died of his wounds. The Cambodians claimed to have captured 13 Thai soldiers during the battle, but the Thais denied this.

April 2, 2009–Fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces left at least 3 Thai soldiers and 2 Cambodian soldiers dead. Cambodia claimed 4 Thai soldiers were killed, 6 wounded, and 10 captured. 2 Cambodian soldiers were also reported killed in the border clash.

January 31, 2010–Fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces left one Thai soldier dead.

April 16, 2010 Cambodia and Thai Forces opened fire on each other near Cambodia’s northwestern border in a clash which lasted for a quarter of an hour,. There were no reports of casualties in this incident.

February 4-5, 2011–Fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces result in deaths among both the Thai and Cambodian military forces. Civilian deaths were also reported. As of mid-day on February 5, firm numbers of dead and wounded are not available, as both sides report widely divergent numbers. It appears that total deaths hover around ten.

  Resources and Links:

http://www.historyguy.com/thailand_cambodia_border_dispute.htm 

Thai, Cambodia troops clash again near temple, one killed–Business Recorder, Feb. 5, 2011

Thailand, Cambodia Border Fighting Breaks Out Amid Tensions–Voice of America, Feb. 4, 2011

Cambodia rattles Thailand’s chain –Asia Times Online, Nov. 10, 2009

Thailand-Cambodia Tensions Rise Over Appointment of Fugitive Thai Official –Voice of America, Nov. 6, 2009

Why Thai-Cambodian temple dispute lingers--Christian Science Monitor, July 22, 2008