Long-festering tensions over border territory have escalated into armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, leading to dozens of deaths on both sides and displacing tens of thousands of people.

More than 100,000 people have been displaced in the deadliest conflict between the two nations in 14 years. Thailand’s acting prime minister warned on Friday that clashes with Cambodia over a border dispute “could develop into war” as the deadliest fighting between the two countries in years extended into a second day.

Thailand has mobilised gunboats to patrol its province bordering Cambodia as conflict between the two nations enters the third day, with death toll climbing to 33 and tens of thousands seeking refuge.

While long-standing border disputes explain some of the current violence between Thailand and Cambodia, the conflict’s escalation is primarily driven by Thai elites’ drive to consolidate military

The two nations have been locked in a decades-long conflict over their contested border. Tensions in disputed territories soured earlier this year.

Evacuation centers in Thailand near the Cambodian border continue to house masses of civilians who have fled the armed conflict.

I am calling the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, right now, to likewise request a Ceasefire, and END to the War, which is currently raging,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday The US is currently engaged in trade negotiations with both nations,

The neighbours are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.