Of course, trouble at the 508-mile (817 km) shared border is nothing new. For over a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points in the thick jungle punctuated with culturally-significant temples albeit with scant strategic or economic value.

Fighting over Thailand and Cambodia border entered its third day and new flashpoints emerged Saturday, raising the death toll to 33, as both sides

BANGKOK -- Armed clashes have broken out between Thailand and Cambodia in long-disputed border areas, rapidly escalating months-long tensions.

June, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was then-prime minister of Thailand, made a call to Cambodia’s de facto leader, Hun Sen, to address a recent escalation along the border between the two countries that had left a Cambodian soldier dead.

Cambodian President Hun Sen has denied reports claiming he fled to China amid an escalating war with Thailand. Thai media alleged Sen abandoned the country as border clashes intensified, but he refuted the claims,

In a statement posted on social media, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) claimed that Cambodian soldiers opened fire around 8:20am in an area about 200 metres away from disputed Ta Muen Thom temple, which is located on the Thai–Cambodian border. This has led to a barrage of media reports on purported military actions on both sides.

Sen has also been a key player in the recent hostilities, with some analysts describing him as the driving force behind the conflict.

Despite the passage of time, one factor remains constant -- Hun Sen appears to be the one firmly in charge in Cambodia, despite no longer being prime minister.

The Royal Thai Army has strongly condemned systematic attacks on Thai civilian targets by Cambodian forces, whilst dismissing claims that Thai troops have seized the disputed Preah Vihear temple as "fake news".