### Title: Escalating Tensions: Thailand and Cambodia Clash at the Border

### Summary: Recent clashes along the disputed border of Thailand and Cambodia have resulted in at least 12 Thai casualties, mostly civilians. Long-standing tensions, intensified by historical grievances and recent military confrontations, have led both nations to accuse each other of igniting the conflict. Despite ongoing hostilities, leaders from both countries express a desire for a peaceful resolution.

On Thursday, escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia culminated in a violent clash along their shared border, resulting in at least 12 deaths, primarily of Thai civilians, according to Thai officials. The exact number of casualties on the Cambodian side remains unclear. Each nation has laid blame on the other for provoking the latest outbreak of violence, which reportedly began with gunfire exchanged across the border. Thailand accuses Cambodia of launching rocket attacks, while Thailand has responded with air strikes targeting Cambodian military positions.

This ongoing dispute isn't new; it stretches back over a century when colonial borderlines were established following France's rule over Cambodia. Hostilities officially intensified in 2008 when Cambodia sought to designate an ancient temple in the contentious area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provoking strong opposition from Thailand. Over the years, sporadic clashes have continued to claim lives from both sides, with relations plunging to new lows after a Cambodian soldier was killed in May.

Recent months have seen both nations heightening military presences along the border, accompanied by reciprocal trade bans. Cambodia has restricted imports of Thai produce and even halted essential services like power and internet access.

With conflicting narratives on Thursday's violence, Thailand's National Security Council reported that Cambodian military forces unleashed drones to surveil Thai troops, provoking retaliatory actions after Cambodian personnel initiated gunfire. Cambodia's defense ministry, however, claimed that Thai troops violated a prior agreement by encroaching on territory near an ancient temple, sparking the exchange.

As for the potential for escalation into a full-blown war, Thailand's acting premier has characterized the situation as "delicate," insisting on a dialogue grounded in international law. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed a preference for a peaceful resolution while asserting the necessity of self-defense in the face of aggression.

Although previous encounters have escalated, they often de-escalate quickly, though observers warn that current leadership issues may complicate this situation. Travel advisories remain cautious but not critical, encouraging travelers to exercise increased vigilance, particularly near tourist sites straddled between the two countries.

China, meanwhile, has advised its citizens stationed in Cambodia to steer clear of the Thai border as tensions remain high and the situation fluid.