Thailand has declared martial law in eight border districts following a deadly outbreak of clashes with Cambodian forces that have killed at least 16 people, including 14 civilians in Thailand, and forced the evacuation of more than 150,000 people from both sides of the border. Thai authorities have warned that the escalating violence could soon lead to full-scale war if diplomatic channels are not urgently reopened.
According to Thailand’s Border Defense Commander, Lt. Gen. Apichart Saprasit, martial law has been enforced in seven districts of Chanthaburi province and one in Trat province, all adjacent to the Cambodian frontier.
The decision comes amid intensifying border clashes that erupted on Thursday, leaving at least 16 people dead, 15 in Thailand, including 14 civilians, and 1 civilian casualty reported in Cambodia. Scores have been injured on both sides, though official figures remain unconfirmed.
Thailand’s interim Prime Minister, Phumtham Vejjajiva, warned on Friday that the situation could spiral into open warfare if not de-escalated soon. “We are reaching a dangerous threshold,” he said in a televised address, urging Cambodia to show restraint and agree to immediate diplomatic talks.
Mass Displacement and Evacuations
The violence has triggered mass evacuations from border regions on both sides. Thailand’s Interior Ministry reported that more than 138,000 civilians and 428 hospital patients have been moved from vulnerable areas to shelters farther inland. In Cambodia, local reports say over 20,000 residents from Preah Vihear province have also been evacuated to safer zones.
A humanitarian concern is also emerging, as relief agencies warn of possible food shortages and overcrowding in temporary camps amid rising temperatures and limited medical access.
Origins of the Conflict: A Decade-Old Dispute Rekindled
Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have simmered for years, largely rooted in a territorial dispute over historic Khmer temple near the border, particularly the Prasat Ta Moan Thom complex, which both countries claim as their cultural and national heritage.
This latest round of violence follows a May 2025 incident in which a Cambodian soldier was killed during an armed confrontation with Thai troops near the disputed zone. In February, tempers flared again when Thai police prevented Cambodian tourists from singing their national anthem at the contested temple site, a move that was condemned by Phnom Penh as an affront to Cambodian sovereignty.
While both sides blame each other for initiating the most recent exchange of fire, diplomatic relations have now completely broken down, and Thailand has closed all border crossings with Cambodia.
With no direct dialogue underway, regional observers are calling for immediate intervention by ASEAN or the UN to prevent further escalation.
