Governing party says it has downgraded ties with Cambodia after a landmine incident that injured a Thai soldier.

Thailand has recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and will expel Cambodia’s ambassador, the governing Pheu Thai Party said, following a landmine incident that injured a Thai soldier along the disputed border between the two countries.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a formal protest with Cambodia, saying the landmines found in the area were newly deployed and had not been encountered during previous patrols, the party said on social media on Wednesday.

Thailand has downgraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia, it said.

Thailand’s foreign ministry said it had yet to be informed of the decision to recall the Thai envoy and the plan to expel Cambodia’s ambassador.

The government has also ordered the closure of all border checkpoints under the jurisdiction of Thailand’s Second Army, the Pheu Thai Party said.

“Tourists are strictly prohibited from entering these border areas,” it said.

A long-running territorial row in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, boiled over into military clashes in May that left one Cambodian soldier dead.

Since then, the two sides have traded barbs and tit-for-tat retaliatory measures.

In the landmine incident on Wednesday, the Thai soldier sustained injuries and lost his right leg, the Pheu Thai Party said.

Earlier, Thailand accused Cambodia of placing landmines on the Thai side of the disputed border area after three soldiers were injured, but Phnom Penh denied the claim and said the soldiers had veered off agreed routes and triggered a mine left behind from decades of war.

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Thai authorities said the soldiers were injured, with one losing a foot, by a landmine while on a patrol on July 16 on the Thai side of the disputed border area between Ubon Ratchathani and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear Province.

Cambodia’s foreign ministry denied that new mines had been planted, and said in a statement on Monday that the Thai soldiers deviated from agreed patrol routes into Cambodian territory and into areas that contain unexploded landmines.

The country is littered with landmines laid during decades of war.

The continuing border dispute has soured relations between the two countries, prompting the closure of border crossings, and Cambodia blocking imports of fuel and gas, as well as fruit and vegetables, from Thailand.

It also triggered a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct during the row.

A diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former longtime ruler and father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, was leaked from the Cambodian side, prompting a judicial investigation.

Last week, Hun Manet announced that Cambodia would start conscripting civilians next year, activating a long-dormant mandatory draft law.

He said the tensions with Thailand meant conscription was needed, and the defence budget may also be increased.

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The latest flare-up between the two countries began with military border clashes in May that left one Cambodian soldier dead.

BANGKOK – Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on July 24 as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, killing at least 11 civilians, in a sharp escalation of a long-running border dispute .

The two countries are locked in a bitter feud over parts of the Emerald Triangle, where their borders meet Laos and several ancient temples stand.

AFP takes a look at what’s going on.

How did it start?

The territorial row has dragged on for decades, but the latest flare-up between the two countries began with military border clashes in May that left one Cambodian soldier dead.

Since then, the two sides have hit each other with retaliatory measures, with Thailand restricting border crossings and Cambodia halting certain imports.

Five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine blast on July 23 in the Nam Yuen district of north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province, according to the Thai army.

The Thai ministry of public health said on July 24 at least 11 civilians had been killed in cross-border strikes by Cambodia.

A spokesperson for Cambodia’s defence ministry declined to comment on July 24 when asked about casualties on its side.

What happened?

The conflict blazed on July 24 as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery into Thailand, and Thai F-16s carried out strikes on two Cambodian military targets, officials said.

A Cambodian shell hit a Thai house, killing one civilian and wounding three, including a five-year-old.

The clashes erupted near two temples on the border between the Thai province of Surin and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey, with both sides trading blame.

Thailand condemned Cambodia as “inhumane, brutal and war-hungry”, accusing it of targeting homes and civilian infrastructure.

What is the state of diplomacy?

The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy in protest after the landmine injuries.

Thailand’s embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia “as soon as possible” unless they had urgent reasons to remain.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on July 24 requested the UN Security Council convene an “urgent meeting” to address what his foreign ministry called “unprovoked military aggression”.

China, a close ally of Cambodia, said it was “deeply concerned” about the clashes, calling for dialogue.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of South-east Asian Nations, called on its fellow Asean members Thailand and Cambodia to “stand down”.

Thai political crisis?

The border dispute has also triggered a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct.

In an attempt to defuse the row, Ms Paetongtarn held a diplomatic call with Mr Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former long-time ruler and father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The phone call was leaked from the Cambodian side in June, sparking a judicial investigation.

Cambodia’s future conscripts?

Mr Hun Manet announced in July that Cambodia would start conscripting civilians in 2026, activating a long-dormant mandatory draft law.

He cited rising tensions with Thailand for the decision.

Cambodia’s conscription law dates back to 2006 but has never been enforced.

Mr Hun Manet has proposed conscripts serve for two years to bolster the country’s 200,000 personnel, requiring citizens aged 18 to 30 to enlist in the military. AFP

The fractured friendship behind the fight at the Thailand-Cambodia border

3 hours ago Share Save Jonathan Head South East Asia correspondent Share Save

Watch: People take shelter after gunfire breaks out between Thailand and Cambodia troops

Cambodia and Thailand have a history of occasional conflict. The two countries share a long and forested border with areas that both sides claim. There have been serious exchanges of fire in the past, too – in 2008 and 2011, clashes on a similar scale saw 40 people killed. However, these were de-escalated relatively quickly. Even as recently as this May, after an incident in which a Cambodian soldier was killed, both sides looked keen to prevent more violence, with meetings between army commanders from each country aimed at easing the tension. But on 24 July, it erupted. Thai authorities say 12 people, all civilians apart from one, were killed. Cambodia has yet to confirm whether it suffered any casualties. So why has this particular border skirmish – which kicked off after five Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion on Wednesday – spread into something so much larger? Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply last month, when Cambodia’s senior leader Hun Sen deeply embarrassed Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra by leaking a phone conversation between them about the disputed border. In the conversation, Paetongtarn called him “uncle”, and criticised one of her own military commanders, sparking public anger. She has since been suspended as prime minister and Thailand’s Constitutional Court is considering a petition for her dismissal. It is not clear why Hun Sen chose to do this, burning a close personal relationship between their two families that goes back decades.

EPA Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended in early July

Many people have faulted Paetongtarn for her conversation with Hun Sen. She appeared to believe that she could resolve their differences by appealing to his friendship with her father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In the past that friendship was used by Thaksin’s opponents to charge him with putting Cambodia’s interests above those of Thailand. In 2014, when a government headed by Thaksin’s sister Yingluck was deposed by a military coup, Hun Sen allowed scores of his supporters to seek sanctuary in Cambodia. The two countries have also cooperated in more shadowy areas. Last November, Thailand sent six Cambodian dissidents, together with a young child, back to Cambodia, where they were immediately jailed. All were recognised by the United Nations as refugees.

In 2020, a young Thai activist who had fled to Cambodia, Wanchalerm Satsaksit, was abducted and disappeared, it is presumed by Thai operatives. And the January gunning down of a Cambodian opposition leader in broad daylight in central Bangkok was also seen by activists as an outcome of this understanding between the two countries’ security services. Against this background, the leaking of Paetongtarn’s conversation appears to have caught the Shinawatra family completely off-guard. The responses from both Thaksin and Paetongtarn reveal a sense of betrayal. This has led to an increasingly bitter war of words between the two countries. But it is more than just words. Thai police have also begun investigating powerful Cambodian business figures alleged to be linked to underworld gambling and scam centres, while trade worth billions of dollars a year has stopped. At the border itself, there is a heightened risk of more serious clashes between the two armies. But rather than back off, Cambodia’s Hun Sen seems to have jumped at the opportunity to ramp up rhetoric against Thailand and the Shinawatra family in particular. He claims to be in possession of secret documents that would incriminate Thaksin – documents he claims could even prove that he insulted the monarchy, an offence which comes with a hefty prison sentence in Thailand. The Thai government responded by expelling the Cambodian ambassador on Wednesday and recalling its own envoy, setting the stage for the latest confrontation.

Reuters Hun Sen (left) sits with Thaksin Shinawatra (right)

Cambodia: Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, killing at least 11 civilians, in a sharp escalation of a long-running border dispute.

The two countries are locked in a bitter feud over parts of the Emerald Triangle, where their borders meet Laos and several ancient temples stand.

How did it start?

The territorial row has dragged on for decades, but the latest flare-up between the two countries began with military border clashes in May that left one Cambodian soldier dead.Since then, the two sides have hit each other with retaliatory measures, with Thailand restricting border crossings and Cambodia halting certain imports.Five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine blast on Wednesday in the Nam Yuen district of northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, according to the Thai army.The Thai ministry of public health said Thursday at least 11 civilians had been killed in cross-border strikes by Cambodia.A spokesperson for Cambodia’s defence ministry declined to comment on Thursday when asked about casualties on its side.

What happened?

The conflict blazed on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery into Thailand, and Thai F-16s carried out strikes on two Cambodian military targets, officials said.A Cambodian shell hit a Thai house, killing one civilian and wounding three, including a five-year-old.The clashes erupted near two temples on the border between the Thai province of Surin and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey, with both sides trading blame.Thailand condemned Cambodia as “inhumane, brutal and war-hungry”, accusing it of targeting homes and civilian infrastructure.- What is the state of diplomacy? – The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy in protest after the landmine injuries.Thailand’s embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia “as soon as possible” unless they had urgent reasons to remain.Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday requested the UN Security Council convene an “urgent meeting” to address what his foreign ministry called “unprovoked military aggression”.China, a close ally of Cambodia, said it was “deeply concerned” about the clashes, calling for dialogue.Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, called on its fellow ASEAN members Thailand and Cambodia to “stand down”.

Thai political crisis?

The border dispute has also triggered a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct.In an attempt to defuse the row, Paetongtarn held a diplomatic call with Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former longtime ruler and father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.The phone call was leaked from the Cambodian side last month, sparking a judicial investigation.- Cambodia’s future conscripts? – Hun Manet announced this month that Cambodia would start conscripting civilians next year, activating a long-dormant mandatory draft law.He cited rising tensions with Thailand for the decision.Cambodia’s conscription law dates back to 2006 but has never been enforced.Hun Manet has proposed conscripts serve for two years to bolster the country’s 200,000 personnel, requiring citizens aged 18 to 30 to enlist in the military.

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Thai and Cambodian forces traded artillery fire and air strikes along contested stretches of their 817km border on Thursday, killing at least 12 people, including 11 civilians, and triggering mass civilian evacuations. The dramatic military escalation is directly connected to a period of political upheaval in Bangkok – one that threatens to bring down the country’s most famous political dynasty.

The clashes, which began near the ancient Ta Moan Thom temple in Thailand’s Surin province, quickly spread to other disputed areas. Cambodian officials accused Thailand of launching air strikes and dropping bombs on roads inside its territory. Thailand blamed Cambodia for laying new landmines – one of which injured a Thai soldier and prompted a swift military response, including the deployment of F-16 fighter jets.

The cross-border violence comes weeks after Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office by the Constitutional Court, accused of violating ministerial ethics over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. In the call, Ms Shinawatra referred to Thailand’s military commander as her “opponent” and called Hun Sen “uncle” – a remark that enraged Thailand’s conservative bloc and triggered calls for her removal.

Her suspension – and the diplomatic crisis unfolding simultaneously – has exposed deep rifts in Thai politics and cast doubt on the future of the Shinawatra family’s political legacy.

open image in gallery Photo released by the Royal Thai Army shows its soldiers in a border area in Ubon Ratchathani province ( AP )

What is the latest conflict about?

The border conflict erupted in May when the armed forces of Thailand and Cambodia briefly fired at each other in a relatively small “no man’s land” claimed as their own by both countries.

Both sides said they acted in self defence. One Cambodian soldier was killed.

Although Cambodia and Thailand said afterwards that they had agreed to de-escalate the situation, their officials continued to implement or threaten measures short of armed force at each other, keeping tensions high.

open image in gallery Thai nationalists hold national flags as they gather outside Cambodia’s embassy in Bangkok to protest over the border dispute ( EPA )

Thailand added restrictions at the border, limiting crossing times and barring Thai casino tourists and workers from crossing into Cambodia.

Cambodia banned Thai movies and TV shows, stopped the import of Thai fruits and vegetables and boycotted its neighbor’s international internet links and power supply.

How long have the two fought over land?

Border disputes have long caused periodic tensions between the two neighbours. Thailand and Cambodia share a land border of more than 800km.

The contesting claims have stemmed largely from a 1907 map drawn up by French colonial rulers that was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand.

Cambodia has been using the map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand has argued the map is inaccurate.

open image in gallery A Cambodian Buddhist monk walks toward the Preah Vihear temple ( AP )

In February, Cambodian troops and their family members entered the ancient Preah Vihear temple in one of the disputed areas and sang the Cambodian national anthem, leading to a brief argument with Thai troops.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice had awarded sovereignty over the area to Cambodia, making it a major irritant in bilateral relations.

Cambodia went back to the court in 2011, following several clashes between its army and Thai forces which had killed about 20 people and displaced thousands.

The court reaffirmed the ruling in 2013, a decision that rattled Thailand.

open image in gallery Cambodia’s army chief Mao Sophan, left, meets his Thai counterpart Pana Claewplodtook at a border checkpoint in Surin province ( AP )

How does this affect Thai politics?

The crisis comes at a moment of deep political vulnerability for the Shinawatra family. Prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, was suspended by Thailand’s Constitutional Court over her handling of the border conflict.

The court is reviewing a complaint from 36 conservative senators who accused her of undermining national security and military authority by taking a conciliatory tone in the leaked phone call with Hun Sen. She is the third Shinawatra family member to be removed from the premiership – following Thaksin and her aunt, Yingluck – both ousted by courts or coups.

The court ruling has weakened her Pheu Thai-led coalition, already strained by internal tensions. One party has defected, and a no-confidence vote in parliament is now likely. Meanwhile, deputy prime minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has stepped in as caretaker.

Analysts say the court’s decision could prolong political instability. “This is not just about ethics – it’s a continuation of judicial intervention against the Shinawatras,” said political scientist Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun.

What role is Cambodia playing politically?

The leak of Ms Shinawatra’s call with Hun Sen has added another layer of intrigue. Though he no longer serves as prime minister, Hun Sen led the country with an iron grip for decades and remains arguably the country’s most powerful individual, as Senate president and father of current prime minister Hun Manet.

Analysts say the two families – the Shinawatras in Thailand and the Huns in Cambodia – have maintained warm personal ties for years. The publication of the call, apparently by Cambodian authorities, may have been intended to shield Hun Manet from domestic criticism by showing he was firm in his dealings with Bangkok.

But it has also dealt a serious blow to Ms Shinawatra at a politically charged moment – fuelling speculation that Hun Sen’s release of the audio may have been a calculated move to exert leverage or provoke instability in Thai politics.

What happens next?

With both militaries on high alert and public anger rising on both sides, analysts warn the crisis could deepen. Cambodia insists it will pursue international arbitration; Thailand is refusing and threatening tougher action if provoked again.

Domestically, Ms Shinawatra’s fate may depend on how long she can remain in power while suspended – and whether the backlash strengthens her conservative opponents in parliament or in the military.

“Diplomatically, this crisis could be managed,” said Dr Prem Singh Gill, a constitutional law scholar at Muhammadiyah University in Indonesia. “But politically, it could reshape Thailand’s leadership – again.”