Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into violent conflict this week, as intense border skirmishes left at least 14 people dead, with thousands displaced and both nations trading accusations of aggression. According to Thai defence officials, the fighting on Thursday (24 July 2025) involved small arms, rockets, artillery, and even airstrikes, with combat breaking out in at least six locations along the contested border, most notably near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey.

Thai authorities confirmed the deployment of F-16 fighter jets, claiming the strikes were retaliatory measures in response to Cambodian rocket fire. Meanwhile, Cambodia accused Thailand of targeting civilian infrastructure, including roads near the UNESCO-recognised Preah Vihear temple, a site of repeated historical disputes.

Civilians Among the Dead and Wounded

The Thai Ministry of Public Health reported that 13 civilians and one soldier were killed, with 14 soldiers and 32 civilians wounded. The Cambodian government claimed at least four civilians injured and confirmed that more than 4,000 people were forced to flee their homes in the border provinces. In the Cambodian town of Samrong, displaced families arrived on foot and in makeshift tractors, carrying their belongings and setting up temporary shelters. “It began around 8 a.m., and everything descended into chaos,” said Tep Savouen, a 45-year-old mother of four.

Both countries continue to blame one another for initiating the violence. Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, accused Cambodia of “war criminal actions” and breaching international humanitarian law by allegedly targeting a hospital. Meanwhile, Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt. General Maly Socheata defended his country’s actions as “limited and targeted” military responses, stating they were compelled to act due to Thai threats.

U.N. Calls for Restraint; Diplomatic Ties in Crisis

In response to the conflict, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged both nations to “exercise maximum restraint” and pursue diplomatic resolution. The matter has been escalated to the U.N. Security Council, which convened a closed-door emergency session on Friday (25 July).

Bilateral relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh have plummeted to their lowest point in years. The Thai government withdrew its ambassador and expelled Cambodia’s envoy following a landmine explosion on Wednesday (23 July) that injured five Thai soldiers. Thailand claimed the mines were newly laid and of Russian origin, suggesting deliberate provocation. Cambodia dismissed these claims as “baseless,” noting that large areas of the region remain littered with legacy mines from past conflicts. On Thursday, Cambodia downgraded diplomatic ties, withdrawing all staff from its embassy in Bangkok, further fuelling the diplomatic standoff.

Thailand Closes Borders, Begins Evacuation

Thailand has sealed all land border crossings and is evacuating residents within a 50-kilometre radius of the conflict zones. The Thai Foreign Ministry stated that all seven domestic airlines were ready to assist Thai nationals wishing to return home from Cambodia. Nikorndej Balankura, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said the government “will intensify self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its aggression and violations of Thai sovereignty.”

A History of Tense Borders

Although rare, military clashes between ASEAN member states are not unprecedented. Thailand and Cambodia have a long, uneasy history of territorial disputes, particularly around historic temple complexes like Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom. The last major confrontation, in 2011, left 20 people dead. This current escalation, however, marks a serious departure from the usual low-level border tensions. It follows a May 2025 confrontation that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, severely straining relations and undermining diplomatic attempts at peace.

Domestic Political Fallout in Thailand

The ongoing crisis has also triggered political unrest in Thailand. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office on 1 July amid an ethics investigation linked to a controversial call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, which critics allege undermined national security. As the situation stands, both sides continue to stand firm, while the human cost rises and international observers express concern that this flare-up could spiral into something far more destructive if not reined in quickly.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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