The danger of a major war: fighting broke out on the border between Thailand and Cambodia
24 July 2025 11:37
Today, July 24, fierce fighting broke out on the eastern border between Thailand and Cambodia in the morning. Both countries accuse each other of escalating the conflict. According to preliminary reports, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population and the military. The incident was reported by BBC, Reuters and CNN, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs
The clashes began near the ancient temple of Ta Moan Thom, in the disputed border area 360 km east of Bangkok. Thailand said one of its F-16s opened fire on Cambodian territory and hit a military target.
Cambodia Fires MLRS at Thailand Amid Escalating Border Clash
– The Asian Chronicle (@AsianChronicle) July 24, 2025
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have spiraled into open armed conflict, with Cambodian forces launching a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) at Thai positions near the disputed border.
Escalation:… pic.twitter.com/bmX4Smf19i
In response, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry condemned Bangkok’s actions, calling them a “brutal aggression against Cambodia’s sovereignty,” and said that Thai planes had dropped two bombs on a civilian road.
Cambodia is demanding that the UN Security Council convene an “urgent meeting” to stop the clashes.
Evacuations and border closures
Amid the escalation, Thailand temporarily closed its border with Cambodia. The authorities evacuated about 40 thousand people from 86 villages located in the border province of Surin. Schools have also been closed, and humanitarian aid is being deployed to the displaced.
WATCH: Video at Phanom Dong Rak Hospital (โรงพยาบาลพนมดงรัก) in Thailand as Cambodia launches attack. Reports of casualties. pic.twitter.com/DeXmy79nk8
– AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) July 24, 2025
The Thai army reports the launch of a Cambodian drone, after which, according to them, Cambodian troops opened fire. As a result, two Thai soldiers were injured. In addition, rockets were allegedly fired from Cambodia, hitting the Kap Choeng district of Surin province, injuring three more people, including a five-year-old child.
#BREAKING
– The Asian Chronicle (@AsianChronicle) July 24, 2025
Shots fired as Thai and Cambodian forces clash in disputed border area
Thai and Cambodian military forces clashed on Thursday in a disputed border region, marking a dangerous escalation in an already volatile situation.
This comes just a day after a Thai soldier… pic.twitter.com/qNqBYI2a3M
Cambodia, in turn, claims that it was not the first to attack, but only responded to the aggression. Phnom Penh insists that Thailand started the fighting, and their army acted exclusively in defense.
The reason for the escalation
Tensions between the two countries escalated the day before: on Wednesday, Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and announced the expulsion of Cambodia’s ambassador from Bangkok. The reason was the deaths of two Thai soldiers within a week. One of them exploded on a mine, which, according to the Thai side, was recently planted in the disputed territory.
Cambodia denies the accusations of planting new mines, claiming that millions of explosive devices remain in the region from the civil war. However, Thailand believes that the latest explosions are the work of the Cambodian military.
History of the conflict
The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia goes back more than a century, when the borders of the two countries were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia.
Officially, the situation escalated in 2008 when Cambodia tried to register an 11th-century temple located in the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which provoked a strong protest from Thailand.
Over the years, clashes have occurred, killing soldiers and civilians on both sides.
The latest tensions escalated in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash.
Over the past two months, both countries have imposed mutual restrictions on the border. Cambodia has banned imports from Thailand, such as fruits and vegetables, and has also stopped imports of electricity and internet services.
Both countries have also increased troop presence along the border in recent weeks.
The new round of violence could threaten regional stability in Southeast Asia and become one of the biggest crises in bilateral relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh in decades.
