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“We urge both sides to de-escalate and resolve border issues peacefully.”
Travel advice for Thailand and Cambodia
Smartraveller continues to advise travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Thailand overall.
In Cambodia, Australians are urged to reconsider travelling to the border areas of the northern and north-western provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, while exercising normal safety precautions overall.
Border clashes: What we know so far
The number of Cambodian casualties was unclear.
Thai people who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers taking shelter in Surin province in north-eastern Thailand. Source: AAP / AP/Sunny Chittawil
“We condemn this — using heavy weapons without a clear target, outside of conflict zones … the use of force and did not adhere to international law,” Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters.
The recent escalation — the worst fighting between the countries in 13 years — came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s envoy. This was in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops in the disputed area — an accusation Cambodia called baseless.
A decades-long border dispute
Ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the Preah Vihear have been central to the disputes.
The clashes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok. Source: AAP / EPA/Kith Serey
Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 but tensions escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In June, Cambodia said it had asked the ICJ to resolve its disputes with Thailand. However, Thailand says it has never recognised the court’s jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.
