Troops from Thailand and Cambodia have been fighting in recent days, resulting in several casualties, some fatal.

But why are they fighting at all?

Here's the rundown of what's been happening.

Thai and Cambodian troops clashed along the border

Thai and Cambodian troops clashed at a disputed area along their 817-kilometre shared border in the early morning of Jul. 24.

According to the Royal Thai Army (RTA), Cambodian soldiers opened fire at around 8:20am in an area approximately 200 metres away from the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple, which is located on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Thai newspaper Khaosod reported that Thai soldiers retaliated in self-defence, and fighting between the two troops ensued.

However, a spokesperson for Cambodia's defence ministry said that Cambodian forces responded in self-defence due to an"unprovoked incursion" by Thai troops.

Thai-Cambodia border conflict is not new

The Thai-Cambodia border conflict is not new, and can be traced back as early as 1907, during the French colonial rule in Cambodia, according to Time.

A 1907 map had given Cambodia claims to certain areas, which Thailand later contested.

The issue was never formally resolved, despite the International Court of Justice's 1962 ruling in favour of Cambodia.

Conflicts broke out intermittently in 2008 and flared in 2011, with the situation turning deadly.

According to CNN, Thailand and Cambodia later withdrew their troops and established a provisional demilitarised zone.

However, tensions broke out again in 2025, following the death of a Cambodian soldier in a brief border skirmish on May 28, Reuters reported.

The fallout from the incident, including a phone call with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leaked by Ex-Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, led to the suspension of Paetongtarn as Thailand's Prime Minister.

Thailand accused Cambodia of placing landmines on Thai side of disputed border area

Although tensions later simmered, Thailand and Cambodia were recently embroiled in a dispute over landmines along the border.

According to Bangkok Post, five Thai military personnel were injured by landmines while on patrol on Jul. 23.

This was the second landmine incident in the past week, following a landmine explosion on Jul. 16 which injured three.

Thai officials alleged that the landmines were recently placed and closed their north-eastern border crossings with Cambodia.

They also withdrew their ambassador and expelled the Cambodian ambassador in protest.

However, Cambodia denied that new mines had been planted.

Instead, they said that soldiers went into an area in Cambodian territory that contained unexploded landmines left behind from decades of war, Reuters reported.

What is going to happen now?

Paetongtarn, who is currently suspended. said that relevant agencies are working to the fullest capacity.

She further added that she hopes"the ongoing measures will bring an end to violence and bring back peace to the people at the earliest opportunity".

Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote to the President of the United Nations Security Council, to bring"urgent attention" to the UNSC about what he called "armed aggression against Cambodia by Thai military forces" at the Thai-Cambodian border.

Other countries have raised concern over the dispute

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that he had sent messages to both the Cambodian and Thai prime ministers and that he"[looked] forward to speaking with them later today or tonight" on Jul. 24.

Malaysia is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), in which Thailand and Cambodia are key members.

According to The Star, Anwar met with the leaders of the two countries at night on Jul. 24, where he"appealed directly to both leaders for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further hostilities and to create space for peaceful dialogue and diplomatic resolution".

He added that both countries showed"positive signals and willingness" to consider a ceasefire.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) also issued a statement regarding the border clashes on Jul. 24.

MFA expressed deep concern about the clashes and called on both countries to exercise restraint and cease hostilities, while advising Singaporeans to refrain from travelling to the border regions of the two countries.

Japan's Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi also addressed the military clashes in a statement on Jul. 24.

He highlighted that Japan"urges both Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint" and expressed hope that the two countries would seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue.