Thailand

Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes Enter Second Day

Published JUL 25 2025

Story

Above: A Thai military convoy on July 25, 2025. Image credit: Valeria Mongelli/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Facts

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery and rocket fire for a second consecutive day on Friday, marking their worst military confrontation in over a decade, with clashes reported in 12 locations along the disputed border, rising from six on Thursday.
Reuters
Al Jazeera
Cambodia has allegedly used BM-21 rocket systems and artillery to bombard targets in Thailand. The Royal Thai Air Force, by contrast, has deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian military bases.
Thai Royal Army
Daily Mail
The Japan Times
At least 16 people have been killed in the fighting so far, with Thailand reporting 15 deaths, including 14 civilians and one soldier, while Cambodia confirmed one civilian death in Oddar Meanchey province.
Thai Enquirer
CNA
RTE.ie
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health also confirmed that 46 Thai civilians and soldiers had sustained injuries of varying severity, ranging from minor to severe. Additionally, the ministry revealed that 131,456 Thai civilians have been evacuated from affected areas as of Friday.
Thai Enquirer
Meanwhile, Phumtham Wechaychai, Thailand’s acting prime minister, warned that the conflict may become a full-scale war if the situation continues to escalate, but stated that the conflict currently remains limited to clashes along the border.
Newsweek
RTE.ie
BBC News
Both countries have accused the other of breaking international law, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of deliberately targeting civilians, while Cambodia has claimed that Thailand has illegally used cluster munitions.
Thai Royal Army
Youtube

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Contrary to the defensive posture of Thailand’s armed forces, Cambodia has launched aggressive and illegal attacks on the Thai population. These strikes have deliberately, and in clear violation of international law, focused on the civilian population. The Royal Thai Armed Forces will do everything in its power to safeguard the people of Thailand from this threat.

Thai Royal Army

Narrative B

Thailand's unprovoked and premeditated attack on Cambodian positions along the border endangers the stability of the region and puts the two countries perilously close to all-out war. Not only are these attacks illegal, but the Thai military utilized cluster munitions in their execution, violating humanitarian law due to the risk they pose to civilian populations.