Cambodia has ordered the evacuation of hundreds of families from a disputed border area with Thailand following deadly clashes, signaling the collapse of a recently signed ceasefire agreement.
Around 250 families from Preychant village in Banteay Meanchey province were urgently moved to a Buddhist temple about 30 kilometers inland for safety, according to Ly Sovannarith, the province’s Deputy Governor. The relocation follows a recent fatal shooting and increased tensions along the frontier.
The evacuation began one day after a Cambodian man, identified as Day Nay, was killed near Preychant village, with three other villagers sustaining injuries from gunfire. It remains unclear which side initiated the shooting.
Thailand’s military swiftly responded by accusing Cambodian forces of laying new landmines, which they claim led to a Thai soldier losing a foot during a border patrol two days prior. Thailand asserts this action violates a ceasefire agreement signed just last month.
Bangkok subsequently announced a temporary suspension of its adherence to the ceasefire. Thai Army Spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree denied Cambodian allegations that Thailand started the firing or acted provocatively.
Major General Suvaree accused Cambodian forces of firing from residential areas and using civilians as human shields, which he stated violates humanitarian principles.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, however, accused Thai forces of repeated provocative behavior over several days, alleging they sought to instigate confrontation. He affirmed Cambodia’s readiness to uphold the ceasefire agreement despite the escalating tensions.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense has reportedly invited observers, including officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to monitor the ceasefire situation. Phnom Penh also denied planting new landmines and called for an independent investigation into the recent shooting to ensure justice for victims.
Preychant village has been a frequent flashpoint for border clashes over several months. A confrontation in September between Cambodian residents and Thai officials in the same area caused significant alarm, though it resulted in no fatalities.