In a significant escalation of tensions, Thailand has launched airstrikes against Cambodian targets following a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations and ongoing border disputes. This military action comes on the heels of Cambodia’s decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with Thailand to their lowest level, expelling the Thai ambassador and recalling all Cambodian diplomatic staff from Bangkok.
The diplomatic fallout began on Wednesday when Thailand closed its north-eastern border crossings with Cambodia, withdrew its ambassador, and expelled Cambodia’s ambassador. This was in protest of a landmine blast that wounded five Thai soldiers, as reported by the Associated Press. Relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbors have been increasingly strained since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an armed confrontation over disputed territory, of which there are several small patches along the border claimed by both nations.
The escalating conflict cast an immediate shadow over the region, disrupting even the most lighthearted of moments. Swedish Instagrammer Anna and Japanese YouTuber Kenji, after a cheerful photoshoot in front of Angkor Wat, found themselves abruptly confronted by the new reality. Their plans to chase viral content at the border were met with a stark warning from their taxi driver.
“There was another shootout with Thailand,” the driver informed them, explaining the sudden appearance of a sign prohibiting travel toward the Thai border. Despite the obvious danger, Anna and Kenji, driven by the allure of a live stream that could “go viral,” offered the driver double the fare to take them closer to the border. The driver, initially hesitant, eventually agreed, acknowledging his daughter’s obsession with social media.
However, he firmly stated, “She can only get as far as the checkpoint. If we go any further, neither my life nor yours is guaranteed.” His surprising calm amidst the crisis prompted Kenji to ask why. “Because this isn’t the first time this has happened,” the driver explained.
He further elaborated on the deep-seated issues fueling the recurring conflicts. “The border between Thailand and Cambodia is a place where many goods and people frequently pass in and out without tax or permission. The interests there are held by a syndicate of powerful people near the border. The internal conflict never ends, and when the boss changes, the syndicate is reorganized and a shootout breaks out.”
Anna and Kenji fell silent as the driver continued, painting a grim picture of the region’s underbelly. “If you go against the boss, you can’t do business here. If you do, you’ll die a gruesome death.” When Kenji inquired about assassins, the driver confirmed their presence, noting, “They live as farmers during the day. Some are informants. They work as taxi drivers during the day.” The exchange left the social media stars contemplating the dangerous realities behind the headlines, a stark contrast to their previous carefree pursuits.
All names of people and organizations appearing in this story are pseudonyms
Thailand-Cambodia border clash live: Thai army says airstrikes launched against Cambodian targets
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