Thailand Warns Border Crisis With Cambodia "Could Escalate Into War"

The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia along their disputed land border has escalated, with both countries exchanging heavy fire and the acting Thai leader warning of a potential war. At least 15 people have been killed, mostly civilians, and over 100,000 have been evacuated from the conflict area. The clashes mark some of the worst cross-border fighting in decades, with both sides accusing each other of starting the conflict. The dispute stems from colonial-era treaties and inconsistent mapping practices, with a notable skirmish occurring in 2011. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attributed the conflict to lingering consequences of Western colonialism. The US has advised its citizens against travel within 50km of the border, while China has expressed support for Cambodia. Thailand has opted for a bilateral solution, but Cambodia has rejected this approach. The conflict has also affected markets, with the Thai baht falling 0.3% against the US dollar. The alignment of major powers, with China backing Cambodia and the US supporting Thailand, raises concerns that the conflict could escalate into a proxy war between global superpowers. If Thailand invokes its security ties with the US and Cambodia does the same with China, the situation could quickly become dangerous.