Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia grew worse after a Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed a target inside Cambodia. This happened near the disputed border area between the two countries, which has seen many fights over the years.

According to the Thai army, they had prepared six F-16 fighter jets for use near the border. One of those jets dropped bombs and destroyed a Cambodian military target. Thailand’s deputy army spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon said, "We have used air power against military targets as planned." After this attack, Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia.

In response, Cambodia strongly criticised Thailand’s actions. Its defence ministry said that two bombs were dropped on a road. The ministry called it “reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia.”

Why are they fighting?

The problem between the two countries is not new. Thailand and Cambodia have disagreed about their border for more than 100 years. The border is about 817 km long, and there are many points that are not clearly marked. Over the years, these disputes have led to many clashes, including a major one in 2011.

This latest fight began near the Ta Moan Thom temple, which is close to the eastern border between the two countries, about 360 km from Bangkok. Both sides blamed each other for starting the shooting. Thai authorities said Cambodia used a drone and then sent troops with heavy weapons. They said Cambodian soldiers used rocket launchers and fired at Thai troops, injuring two Thai soldiers.

Cambodia gave a different version of the story. Its defence ministry said Thai troops crossed the border first without reason, and that Cambodian soldiers only acted in self-defence.

People forced to flee homes

The situation became so serious that Thai people living near the Surin border province had to run away and take shelter. Many families stayed in small concrete buildings strengthened with sandbags and car tires. A woman told Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS), "How many rounds have been fired? It's countless." In the background, gunfire and explosions could be heard.

A district chief in the Surin province, Sutthirot Charoenthanasak, told Reuters, “Artillery shells fell on people’s homes.” He also said that two people had died and that 40,000 civilians from 86 nearby villages had to be moved to safer places.

Landmine trouble adds to the problem

Things got worse after two Thai soldiers were hurt by landmines near the border last week. Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new landmines in the disputed area. As a result, Thailand sent its ambassador back home and also told the Cambodian ambassador to leave the country.

Cambodia denied planting new landmines. It said that the Thai soldiers had gone off the agreed path and stepped on old mines left from earlier wars. Cambodia still has millions of landmines left from its civil war years ago.

Thailand, however, insists that new mines were placed recently and called Cambodia’s denial “baseless.”

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said, “We have to be careful. We will follow international law.” But politics in Thailand became more unstable after a phone call between Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen was leaked. The call was supposed to help solve the tensions, but instead, it created a political storm in Thailand. Paetongtarn was suspended by the court soon after.

Hun Sen later posted on Facebook that Thai forces had shelled two Cambodian provinces.

As of now, both countries are blaming each other. People are scared, and fighting continues. There is no clear sign of peace yet.

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