The situation escalated at the end of May this year when a Cambodian soldier was killed after clashes at the border, which caused the relationship between the two countries to reach a low point. Both sides claimed to have acted in self-defense.
The fighting subsided, but both Thai and Cambodian authorities continued to implement or threaten measures. The situation therefore remained infected. Thailand decided to introduce strict restrictions at the border, where almost no one was allowed to pass.
Cambodia, on the other hand, responded by banning Thai films and TV programs, while the import of Thai goods such as fruit and fuel was stopped.
"Uncle"
In an attempt to cool down the tensions, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen spoke in mid-June.
In a leaked recording of the conversation, the Thai leader is heard calling Hun Sen "uncle" and referring to the military chief in northeastern Thailand as her "opponent", which was heavily criticized in the country where the military still has great influence.
Paetongtarn was suspended pending an investigation after the leaked conversation and the government crisis in the country became a fact. She herself has always claimed that it was a negotiating tactic.
80 miles of border
The Southeast Asian neighboring countries share more than 80 miles of land border and the conflict dates back to a map from 1907 that the French colonial government in Cambodia drew up. Cambodia has used the map to claim territory, while Thailand claims that the map is incorrect.
The border conflict has - despite several attempts - not reached a diplomatic solution and as recently as 2011, tensions escalated. Then, at least 15 people were killed and thousands of civilians were forced to flee.
