The political scientist named the reasons for the new escalation of the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

The resumption of the armed conflict on the border of Thailand and Cambodia indicates an unstable truce and deep unresolved contradictions between the states. Elena Fomicheva, senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and chief specialist on Thailand in Russia, told Izvestia on December 8.

"The conflict is very long, protracted, and multi-year. It flares up from time to time, it is connected with the unsettled border. This issue has not been resolved yet. Recently, a truce was reached, but it turned out to be fragile. Both sides accuse each other of violations. The border commission is working to resolve issues, but so far they are not coping with these tasks," the political scientist said.

She added that the conflict is complicated by the economic interests of the states, so tension has persisted since the spring, despite the previously reached ceasefire agreements.

Speaking about the possible role of international structures, the expert recalled that Cambodia regularly appeals to international organizations, including the International Court of Justice, but Thailand does not consider the decisions of this instance to be legitimate enough, which creates serious disagreements between the parties. She said that mediators have already been involved in the settlement — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as well as representatives of the United States and China, but despite the efforts made, the situation still remains unstable. According to Fomicheva, the further development of events depends on how relations between the two countries will be built.

"While the key issue of border demarcation has not been resolved, it remains possible to use the conflict to achieve not only territorial, but also political and economic goals. Against the background of the escalation, the parties may try to solve other problems. Due to the lack of progress, the potential for tension remains," the expert concluded.

Translate the shootout: Thailand and Cambodia question Trump's peacekeeping efforts

After the incident at the border, there is a dead man and injured

Earlier in the day, Khaosod newspaper reported that the Cambodian military had opened fire on Thai soldiers on the Thai border. As a result of the incident, one Thai soldier was killed and two others were injured. The Thai army has called on residents of the border areas of four provinces located along the border with Cambodia to evacuate to shelters amid the threat of escalating clashes.

Prior to that, on October 26, it was reported that the peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia, signed at the ASEAN summit in the presence of US President Donald Trump, was supposed to help de-escalate the conflict and strengthen trust between the countries.

However, on November 10, Thai Prime Minister Anuthin Chanvirakul announced the suspension of the peace agreement with Cambodia, after two Thai soldiers were injured in a mine explosion on the border. According to him, the incident shows that hostility at the border has not decreased and further steps under the agreement are impossible until the circumstances are clarified.

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