The leadership explained in a statement: “On December 10th, expanded operational powers were granted in its sector due to the escalation of military clashes with Cambodia.” The statement added that the warship “TTMS Thepa” was deployed in the operational area and tasked with conducting reconnaissance patrols around the clock. The Thai Navy also warned Thai fishermen against sailing near the maritime border with Cambodia.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is one of the longest-running regional conflicts in Southeast Asia. Limited clashes have repeatedly erupted over the past decades due to contested border areas, especially around historical temples and mountain passages.
Despite previous attempts to ease tensions, the border line between the two countries remains prone to sudden outbreaks of violence, often leading to casualties among civilians and military personnel and displacing residents from adjacent areas. The agreement included mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire, delineating temporary borders, and enhancing security cooperation to prevent recurring clashes.
However, recent developments indicate the fragility of this peace, with renewed tensions and the return of mutual accusations between the sides regarding responsibility for border shootings.
