Thailand and Cambodia Clash in Deadly Border Fight as Tensions Erupt Over Disputed Territory
BANGKOK – July 24, 2025 – The long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia escalated into one of the deadliest military confrontations in over a decade on Thursday, leaving at least 12 people dead and dozens injured as both sides exchanged heavy fire using jets, rockets, tanks, and artillery.
Fighting broke out near the Emerald Triangle, a historically tense area where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge. The Thai military said clashes occurred across six key border zones, with ground troops and armored vehicles deployed alongside F-16 fighter jets in retaliation for Cambodian rocket fire.
Civilians Among the Dead as Rockets Strike Thai Town
The Thai Public Health Ministry confirmed that 11 civilians and one Thai soldier were killed, with many of the civilian casualties resulting from a rocket attack near a petrol station in Sisaket province. Local footage captured smoke billowing from a burning convenience store, where several students tragically lost their lives during the strike.
Additionally, 35 civilians were wounded in various incidents across border areas, as Thailand ordered mass evacuations and shut down all land crossings with Cambodia.
Fighter Jets Deployed as Military Tensions Spike
Thailand’s military scrambled six air force jets to carry out precision strikes on Cambodian targets, reportedly hitting two positions believed to house artillery launchers. Deputy military spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon said the jets were deployed in response to what Thailand called a deliberate assault on civilians.
Meanwhile, Cambodia claimed self-defense, saying its forces only retaliated after coming under heavy fire near two border temples, which have long been points of contention.
At a tense press briefing, Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata refused to confirm the number of casualties on Cambodia’s side. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has since appealed to the UN Security Council to intervene, calling the conflict “unprovoked military aggression” from Thailand.
Regional and International Reactions
Thailand’s government denounced Cambodia as “inhumane, brutal, and war-hungry,” accusing its military of targeting civilian zones using BM-21 rocket systems, especially in Surin province, where three people were wounded in one attack.
In response to the deteriorating situation, Thailand’s embassy in Phnom Penh has urged Thai citizens in Cambodia to evacuate immediately.
China, a major ally of Cambodia, expressed deep concern and called on both nations to de-escalate. It also advised Chinese nationals in Cambodia to avoid traveling near the Thai border.
Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has stepped in diplomatically. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on both Thailand and Cambodia to “stand down” and return to dialogue under ASEAN’s framework.
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A Dangerous Chapter in a Decades-Old Dispute
The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute stretches back decades, particularly surrounding ancient temples and overlapping territorial claims. Sporadic fighting over these issues has occurred in the past, but the current level of military escalation, civilian casualties, and international involvement signals a potential regional crisis.
As fears grow over further escalation, regional powers and global institutions are urging immediate restraint to prevent a full-blown war in Southeast Asia.