Thailand’s military has intensified its operations against Cambodian casinos and suspected scam operations, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Recent reports put the number of Thai soldiers killed at nine, with about 120 others wounded in the still-escalating conflict. In return, at least 11 Cambodian civilians, including 5 children, have been killed, and 74 other civilians wounded since the renewed hostilities started.
The conflict escalated shortly after Thailand’s government seized $300 million from prominent tycoons linked to Cambodia’s burgeoning scam industry. This crackdown has fueled tensions, as Thailand accuses the targeted sites of being used for military purposes, including staging troops and storing weaponry. Cambodian state media, Fresh News, published images showcasing damage inflicted on a casino by Thai military actions, underscoring the violence that has marked this dispute.
Casualties and Damages
The violence has resulted in widespread devastation. The Thai military has shelled at least five Cambodian casinos since the fighting started. They struck at some other suspected online scamming complexes too. The Royal Hill Resort, however, has attracted criticism. New allegations have since tied it to human trafficking and drug smuggling.
According to recent testimony from Cambodian officials, the first shot fired by Thai military forces targeted the O’Smach Casino. This attack claimed the life of a security guard and injured five others. Unverified videos circulating on social media show hundreds of foreigners fleeing scam centers in the O’Smach area, highlighting the chaotic situation for those caught in the crossfire.
The new offensive has already resulted in rampant military casualties on both sides. It has uprooted hundreds of thousands of non-combatants. For foreign workers from Pakistan and Nepal, just the opposite is true. They filed complaints about unsafe working conditions and are searching for shelter from the increasing violence.
Government Responses and Accusations
The Cambodian government has repeatedly and adamantly rejected any ties to the scam industry, even as international attention has focused on its alleged operations. Its authorities have moved aggressively to shut down hundreds of scam operations from opening within its borders. Yet, according to experts, it is the political elites that hold sway in Cambodia’s political sphere that continue to connect themselves to these unlawful enterprises.
Mr. Sims, a political analyst, commented on the situation: “The same elite patronage connections which have provided their owners state protection for their criminal activities demand their loyalty in support of Cambodia’s military imperatives.”
He further added that the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) seems to benefit from these ties: “Effectively, they are the CPP’s top patrons in the area and it makes sense that they would be aiding in the cause.”
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has already declared his intention to dissolve parliament. He wants to call early elections and has framed this effort as one to “return power to the people.” This nationalistic sentiment is increasing all over the country. In this toxic climate, the government is instilling fears of the conflict to further entrench their hold on power.
International Implications and Concerns
The international community has raised alarm about Thailand’s heavy-handed tactics to fight the scam industry. Analysts warn that the conflict could set a dangerous precedent for extraterritorial military actions under the guise of national security.
Mr. Sims remarked on the global perceptions of Cambodia’s scam industry. “It’s the case that the global revulsion toward Cambodia’s scam industry is a useful reality for Thailand, lending it some cover for extraterritorial aggression.”
He further questioned the implications of military actions against civilian-populated areas: “Is Thailand knowingly targeting locations with entrapped civilians? Is Cambodia now using them as human shields? Or did the scam-invested oligarchs who own the compounds move them prior to repurposing it for military use?”
Activists have claimed that bombing shantytown compounds is not an effective strategy in the fight against organized crime. Mr. Sims stated: “Bombing compounds is not a remotely reasonable way to combat the scam industry.”
Escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Observers are paying close attention to these developments to gauge how this conflict will play out and what it will entail for regional stability.
