• Cambodian soldiers report respiratory issues from alleged toxic gas exposure during border conflict with Thailand.
• More than 40 people have been killed and over half a million displaced since the conflict intensified in December.
• The Thai military denies using chemical weapons, labeling accusations as "fake news".
• Doctors in Cambodian hospitals are treating numerous soldiers with symptoms associated with chemical exposure.
• Cambodia's Minister of Defense accuses Thailand of violating international law through its military actions.

In a severe escalation of the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, soldiers have reported experiencing significant respiratory problems following air sorties conducted by Thai military aircraft. Cambodian soldier Kun Yong recounted “It’s like I was suffocating,” as he described his experience from a hospital bed, emphasizing the alarming effects on his health in the aftermath of these military encounters, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Since early December, the conflict has reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 40 individuals and displaced over half a million people from both nations, marking a period of intense military engagement unprecedented in recent decades. Reports from various hospitals in Banteay Meanchey province noted several soldiers requiring treatment for symptoms, including difficulty breathing and dizziness, after being exposed to what they describe as “poisonous water” released from the Thai aircraft, as per The Jakarta Post and Reuters.

Cambodia's Ministry of Defence has consistently claimed that the Thai military is deploying “toxic gas” in its military operations, branding such actions a violation of international law. Despite these allegations, the Cambodian government has not specified the types of gases purportedly used nor has it substantiated its claims with evidence or lodged formal protests to international bodies, highlighting a lack of clarity in its accusations, according to Channel News Asia and The Jakarta Post.

In response, the Thai Air Force's spokesperson has categorically denied the use of chemical weapons, describing the allegations as “fake news” aimed at undermining their operations. He further argued that if the air force had indeed utilized chemical weaponry, it would have led to fatalities among affected individuals instead of merely causing respiratory distress, as explained by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Medical professionals treating the injured soldiers confirmed that numerous patients exhibited symptoms consistent with exposure to harmful substances and noted a significant influx of cases requiring urgent care. Dr. Bong Bunnarith mentioned that around 20 soldiers presented with symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, and trouble breathing, yet the exact cause of these symptoms could not be determined without further analysis, according to Reuters and The Jakarta Post.