The Thai army has confirmed that it carried out airstrikes targeting two Cambodian military posts after a deadly shooting incident near the border.
According to Bangkok Post, the operation was a response to gunfire from Cambodian officers that killed one civilian and injured three others. Thai military deputy spokesperson richa suksuwan said, “We used air power as planned on military bases.”
The incident occurred in Thailand’s northeastern Surin province, where Cambodian soldiers reportedly fired toward a Thai military base amid ongoing border tensions. The report added that at least six border areas experienced rising tension by Wednesday morning.
Cambodian officials also confirmed the Thai airstrike. Cambodia’s prime minister, hun manet, acknowledged the attack on Cambodian army posts by Thailand.
“Cambodia has always favored peaceful solutions to conflicts,” said an AP report quoting the Cambodian side, “but in this situation, we have no option but to respond with force.”
On Wednesday, five Thai soldiers were injured in an explosion caused by a landmine in the border area of Chong En in Ubon Ratchathani province. Thai officials claimed that the landmine was recently planted by Cambodian forces.
In response, Thailand has decided to close its border with Cambodia in the affected area. The two countries have a long history of border disputes, though relations have remained largely calm since a major clash in 2011.
Following another flare-up in May 2024, Cambodia proposed taking the dispute over four contested territories to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Thailand, however, rejected the court’s jurisdiction on the matter.
