Thailand and Cambodia have also known, have been locked in battles over borders on July 24, 2025. A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed inside Cambodia, a major escalation. Thailand Cambodia Border Dispute 2025 Clashes that started early Thursday killed at least 12 people, 11 Thais and 1 soldier.
Tensions simmered for weeks before the fighting had a chance to erupt near the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple. Each blamed the other. The disputed area is right on the borderline between Surin province of Thailand and Oddar Meanchey province of Cambodia.
Thai Fighter Jets Strike Military Targets
Thailand deployed 6 F-16 fighter jets to counter Cambodian forces near the conflict zone. One of the jets bombed inside Cambodia. Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon confirmed the use of air power. He said Thai forces hit designated Cambodian military targets.
Thailand said Cambodia fired first. It said Cambodian troops sent a drone over the border, then heavy weapons, including rocket launchers and artillery. Thailand retaliated immediately to protect its sovereignty and citizens.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence condemned the airstrikes. Officials said Thailand violated its sovereignty and international law. Cambodia called it reckless and brutal.
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Clashes Spread Across the Border
Violence spread to 6 areas along the 800km border. Thai residents near the conflict zone fled their homes. In Surin province, locals, including children, ran for cover as shelling echoed through the villages. Many took shelter under concrete structures and inside bomb shelters reinforced with sandbags.
The Thai ministry said that the Cambodian artillery killed 11 civilians, including a child. 1 soldier also died. The Thai army said Cambodian forces also struck a hospital, which, in their words, is a war crime.
Some 40,000 people were evacuated from 86 bordering villages. Evacuees took shelter in temporary camps as military presence increased. Thailand sealed all border crossings between the two countries to prevent civilian casualties.
Diplomatic Relations Collapse
Tensions had been building for days. Injuries came from landmines in the disputed area. In 2 successive incidents in a single week, there were some with limbs being amputated. Thailand claimed that Cambodia was planting landmines recently.
Bangkok recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh. Thai officials also ordered Cambodia’s ambassador to leave the country. Cambodia then withdrew all its diplomats from Thailand and expelled Thai diplomats from its soil. Cambodian officials said it was a necessary step to defend national pride.
Political Chaos Causes the Crisis
The conflict has political fallout in Bangkok. This month, the Thai head of government has been suspended. Leaked audio of a phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen went viral. During the call, she seemed to be laying into her forces right up to the border.
The Thai opposition demanded her resignation. Critics accused her of undermining the military. Government sources said her future is uncertain.
Cambodian leader Hun Sen, though out of power, is playing a visible role in stoking national sentiment. He claims Thailand started the conflict. His son, current Prime Minister Hun Manet, echoed those claims.
Long-standing Border Dispute
The boundary dispute dates back over a century between Thailand and Cambodia. This original boundary line was drawn by French colonial governance, yet many parts remain undemarcated.
People used to freely move across the border. But recent military activity and political pressure stopped that. Cambodia announced military conscription earlier this year. Thailand increased patrols near sensitive areas.
In May, clashes killed one Cambodian soldier. That sparked fears of a bigger conflict. Both governments blamed each other then, just like now.
Civilians Suffer the Most
Those living near the border are the worst affected. While it is true that certain families headed away with just the basic minimum, emergency centers in Surin and Sisaket were already above capacity with participants.
What the Thai officials did was to send food, blankets, and medical aid to the displaced civilians. Parents were trying to soothe their children as explosions roared in the vicinity from the forest. Locals feared the violence would spread deeper into Thai territory.
Regional and Global Reactions
Both sides were called to calm down by the Malaysian PM, Anwar Ibrahim, who also heads ASEAN this year. Therefore, he plans to contact and talk to the Thai and Cambodian leaders.
China also expressed concern. The US Embassy in Bangkok issued a safety advisory. It told Americans in Thailand to follow government guidance and stay away from conflict zones. Cambodia issued similar warnings for foreign residents.
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The Way Forward
While the two armies prepare for more action, a peaceful solution is far from certain. The use of fighter jets and artillery makes this a new and dangerous phase in the conflict. The state of political instability in the two capitals only worsens the possibility of de-escalation.
There should be a permanent solution for the age-old border issue between the governments of the Kingdom of Thailand and Cambodia. Unless ASEAN or the UN intervenes right away, this war shall continue.
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