Cambodia downgrades diplomatic relations with Thailand to 'the lowest level' amid cross-fire

The Thai Army said on Thursday that a clash happened at the border areas with Cambodia after the Cambodian side first opened fire, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

A Cambodian defense spokesperson said that Cambodian soldiers on Thursday clashed with Thai soldiers at a disputed border area, per Xinhua report.

In response to Thailand’s decision to recall its ambassador to Cambodia, expel the Cambodian ambassador to Thailand, and downgrade diplomatic relations with Cambodia, the Cambodian government has announced countermeasures, CCTV News said on Thursday.

As a result, the Cambodian government has decided to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level, that of chargé d’affaires. Cambodia has also announced the recall of all diplomats and staff from its embassy in Thailand, except for essential personnel, and has simultaneously demanded that Thai diplomats leave Cambodia within a specified timeframe, according to the media report.