The dispute dates back to 1907, when the two nations’ borders were established following the French occupation of Cambodia, a period that Thailand contends is inaccurate.​ The map was based on an agreement that the border would be demarcated along the natural watershed line between the two nations.

Caretaker Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Southeast Asian nation would "continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people".