Thailand Bombs Cambodian Border Amid Escalating Conflict

Thailand states it bombed a "transportation hub" near Poipet, Cambodia, a city known as a major casino hub and the largest land route between the two countries.

These bombings occurred amidst renewed border clashes that show no signs of abating.

The Cambodian Ministry of Defense stated that Thai forces dropped two bombs, while the Thai side claimed they targeted a location where rocket systems were stored.

Since the beginning of this month, fighting has killed 21 people in Thailand and 17 in Cambodia, with officials reporting approximately 800,000 displaced.

The Cambodian Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that Thai forces dropped two bombs near the Poipet city limits on Thursday at approximately 11:00 AM (0400 GMT).

Shortly thereafter, Thai Air Force spokesman Air Marshal Jakrit Thammavichai stated that Thai forces attacked a facility used to store BM-21 rockets outside Poipet city, and no civilians were harmed.

BM-21 rockets are a type of weapon typically fired from the back of an armored vehicle.

This appears to be the first bombing attack on Poipet, a city popular among Thai gamblers for its casinos and known as an international border checkpoint.

Thailand announced on Tuesday that between 5,000 and 6,000 Thai nationals were stranded in Poipet after Cambodia closed the land border between the two countries.

The Cambodian Interior Ministry stated that the border closure was a "necessary step" to minimize risks to civilians, adding that air travel remains an option for those wishing to depart.

The centuries-old border dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbors dramatically escalated on July 24 with a Cambodian rocket attack on Thailand, followed by Thai airstrikes. This led to five days of fierce fighting, killing dozens of soldiers and civilians.

Subsequently, through the mediation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and then-US President Donald Trump, the two countries agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire."

However, that ceasefire broke down again last week, with both sides blaming each other for the renewed fighting, which saw exchanges of airstrikes and artillery fire.

Trump stated last week that the fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces could only be stopped by a phone call, but it continues unabated.

In recent clashes, Cambodia accused Thai forces of bombing Siem Reap province, home to the ancient Angkor temples and a major tourist attraction in the country.