The latest conflict was triggered by an incident in late May that left one Cambodian soldier dead. Both sides blamed the other for initiating the violence. Stemming from a long-running dispute over ownership of ancient temples and their surrounding land, the incident triggered months of tension and retaliation: Cambodia banned Thai goods, while Thailand closed border crossings and restricted Internet and power links to Cambodia.

The conflict has roots in centuries of cultural rivalry, colonial-era treaties, and contested territorial claims. The last major flare-up was in 2008, when Cambodia registered the Temple of Preah Vihear (pictured below) as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thailand protested, and border clashes between 2008 and 2011 left at least 20 people dead and displaced thousands.

The situation escalated dramatically in late July. On July 23 a Thai patrol in Ubon Ratchathani province triggered a land mine on the border, injuring five soldiers. Thailand accused Cambodia of laying new mines and downgraded diplomatic relations, which led to both countries recalling their ambassadors.