The Thai-Cambodian border clashes have turned deadly after a firefight broke out this morning (24 July), near Ta Muen Temple, located in an undemarcated area along the Thai-Cambodian border. Both Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of opening fire.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing mounting pressure as legal complaints are being filed against her following the leaked call between her and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.

The People’s Party today (19 June) called on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to dissolve the House following the leaked audio clip of a conversation between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, the former Cambodian Prime Minister and current President of the Cambodian Senate, as well as the Bhumjaithai Party’s announcement of its withdrawal from the coalition government.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a press conference today (19 June) apologizing for her phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and insisting that the government and the military remains united.

A leaked recording of a private call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has gone viral on social media. During the call, the Thai Prime Minister admitted she is facing domestic pressure from the military, which put her in the hot seat immediately after the audio was leaked.

Following a fatal border clash on 28 May at the Chong Bok, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to hold bilateral talks through the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Commission on Demarcation for the Land Boundary (JBC) on 14-15 June. Both sides remain at odds on certain matters, particularly Cambodia’s move to refer the case to the International Court of Justice.

Even though there have not been further clashes since the 28 May clash at Chong Bok, the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia appears to be escalating. Amid growing uncertainty, the Pheu Thai government faces public outcry, fuelled by surging nationalism, talk of legal efforts to replace the Prime Minister, and even calls for a junta, while civil society continues to campaign for peace. Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Army arbitrarily announced its readiness to use force. Supalak Ganjanakhundee, a former news editor, a researcher and an advisor to the House of Representatives' Committee on the Armed Forces, said the Thai military said the Thai military has taken on many responsibilities that should fall under the civilian government.

As tension brews on the Thai-Cambodian borders and waves of nationalistic, anti-migrant rhetoric appear on Thai social media, Cambodian workers in Thailand grow concerned over their own safety and livelihoods.

Following a border clash on 28 May at the Chong Bok border pass in Ubon Ratchathani, Cambodia has said that it intends to take its territorial disputes with Thailand to the International Court of Justice, while the Thai government has said that it is committed to bilateral negotiations through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and will not accept the ICJ’s jurisdiction.

Among neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, few have experienced as heated and enduring a cultural conflict as Thailand and Cambodia. While they share historical and cultural ties, these have often become sources of tension. From the Preah Vihear temple dispute to widespread online debates about the origins of the shared cultural heritage, this tug-of-war has persisted for decades.

<p>Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha will pay an official visit to Cambodia today for a two-day trip to strengthen bilateral ties. He is scheduled to meet with his counterpart, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, and to have an audience with King Sihamoni, who, on 14 October, celebrated his 10^th anniversary of enthronement. Prayuth’s visit is highly significant in many ways, both for his own domestic purposes and for Thailand’s fragile relations with Cambodia.</p>