Cambodia

Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes Escalate with Airstrikes

JUL 24 2025·Updated JUL 25 2025

Story

Above: Thai police stand guard outside the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok during a demonstration over border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Image credit: Ploy Phutpheng/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

The Facts

Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian military targets on Thursday as Cambodia fired BM-21 rockets into Thai villages, after armed clashes erupted along their disputed border near the Ta Moan Thom temple. Both sides accuse each other of firing first.
Thaipbs
Phnom Penh Post
Al Jazeera
At least nine Thai civilians, including an eight-year-old child, were killed and several were injured in the crossfire, prompting the evacuation of 40,000 residents from more than 80 border villages.
Al Jazeera
BBC News
Reuters
The escalation followed a Wednesday landmine incident that injured five Thai soldiers, with one losing his leg, leading Thailand to recall its ambassador from Cambodia and expel Cambodia's envoy.
Nationthailand
Phnom Penh Post
EuroNews
Both countries downgraded diplomatic relations to the lowest level, with Cambodia withdrawing all diplomatic staff from Bangkok and ordering Thai diplomats to leave Cambodia.
Bloomberg.com
Al Jazeera
The current tensions stem from a May confrontation that killed one Cambodian soldier, part of a century-long dispute over undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer shared border.
The New York Times
Reuters
Al Jazeera
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office last month after a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen regarding the border dispute sparked domestic political controversy.
Bloomberg.com
The New York Times
Firstpost

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Cambodia's aggressive actions forced Thailand to defend its sovereignty after Cambodian troops deployed drones and heavy weapons near disputed temples, then fired rockets into civilian areas, killing innocent people, including children. Thailand's measured military response with F-16 strikes targeted only military positions, while Cambodia recklessly shelled villages.

Nationthailand

Narrative B

Thailand violated territorial integrity by sending troops into Cambodian territory and firing first, forcing Cambodia to respond in self-defense against unprovoked aggression. Thai soldiers triggered decades-old landmines by deviating from agreed patrol routes, yet Thailand blamed Cambodia for newly planted mines. This is a blatant and serious violation of international law.

Phnom Penh Post