Cambodian Officials Accuse Thailand of Airstrikes Near Angkor Wat

Cambodia has accused Thailand of conducting airstrikes within its territory, specifically targeting areas in Siem Reap province, home to the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex. This incident marks a troubling escalation in a long-standing border conflict that has seen renewed violence this month, resulting in significant casualties and displacement.

According to Cambodia’s Defense Ministry, a Thai fighter jet launched a bombing raid on the morning of December 15, striking near a camp for displaced civilians in the Srei Snam district of Siem Reap. Information Minister Neth Pheaktra confirmed that this marked the first instance of Thai military airstrikes in the province during the recent clashes. Reports indicate that Thai F-16s penetrated more than 70 kilometers into Cambodian airspace, raising concerns over the potential for further escalation.

The renewed fighting between the two Southeast Asian nations has already claimed at least 28 lives, including both soldiers and civilians. Approximately 800,000 people have been displaced as a result of the conflict. Each side has accused the other of instigating the violence, asserting that their actions are in self-defense.

In July, a previous outbreak of violence resulted in dozens of fatalities before a truce was brokered. However, that ceasefire proved short-lived, and tensions have once again reached a boiling point. The border dispute is rooted in colonial-era demarcations along the 800-kilometer frontier between the two countries.

Despite claims from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a ceasefire agreement that was supposed to start on the evening of December 14, fighting persisted over the weekend. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who recently dissolved parliament ahead of upcoming elections, declared on social media that his government would continue its military efforts. Military officials from both nations confirmed that clashes along the border remained ongoing.

The situation poses a significant threat to Cambodia’s tourism sector, which has struggled to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, foreign tourist arrivals reached a record 6.7 million, but recent data shows a decline of nearly a third in arrivals from July to September 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Ticket sales for the Angkor archaeological park have also dropped by at least 17 percent year-on-year from June to November this year, highlighting the potential economic repercussions of the renewed conflict.

As hostilities continue, the international community is watching closely, aware of the delicate balance in this historically fraught relationship between Cambodia and Thailand. The call for peace is urgent as both nations grapple with the human and economic costs of their longstanding border dispute.