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The article reports on a clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in a contested border area on Thursday, which occurred after the two nations downgraded their diplomatic relations.
Key points include:
The clash happened near the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, along the border of Thailand’s Surin province and cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province.
Both sides accused the other of firing first. The Thai army stated Cambodian soldiers opened fire after Thai soldiers attempted to de-escalate the situation, while Cambodia claimed Thailand initiated the clash with an “unprovoked incursion.”
The diplomatic downgrade was a response to recent events. Cambodia downgraded relations, expelled the Thai ambassador, and recalled its staff after Thailand closed border crossings, withdrew its ambassador, and expelled the Cambodian ambassador in protest of a land mine blast that injured five Thai soldiers. Land mine incidents have escalated tensions. The article mentions two recent land mine blasts that wounded Thai soldiers, with Thailand alleging newly laid Russian-made mines and Cambodia attributing them to legacy ordnance from past conflicts.
Nationalist sentiment and past disputes are contributing factors. The article notes that nationalist passions have inflamed the situation and references longstanding border disputes,particularly around the Preah Vihear temple,which has been a source of tension as a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling.
Thailand’s prime minister was suspended due to her handling of the border dispute.
