What’s behind the Thailand-Cambodia clashes – explained in 30 seconds

Original article by Jessica O'Bryan

Stretching across more than 817km (508 miles), the shared land border between Thailand and Cambodia has been marred by conflict for more than a century. Sovereignty has been contested since France, which occupied Cambodia until 1953, first mapped the border in 1907.

However, tensions have worsened significantly in 2025. In May, clashes in the area that killed a Cambodian soldier sparked nationalist sentiment on both sides, and saw both governments retaliate. Thailand imposed harsh border restrictions, while Cambodia banned the broadcast of Thai films, and the import of Thai fruit, vegetables, gas and fuel.

Then in July, the worst clashes in a decade erupted during five days of fighting after a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine in a disputed area. At least 48 people were killed and more than 300,000 forced to flee their homes. The clash was exacerbated by a fallout between two political former leaders of Cambodia and Thailand. The five-day war ended with a fragile peace deal brokered by US president Donald Trump, which was signed in Malaysia in October.

But tensions have remained high. In November Thailand suspended the ceasefire when a border landmine blast injured another Thai solder. A clash occurred two days later that killed one and wounded three Cambodian civilians.

Thailand has since launched airstrikes along the border, reigniting fighting that has spread along the border, with seven civilians killed and 20 wounded in Cambodia, and three Thai soldiers confirmed dead. Both sides accuse each other for breaking the ceasefire.