IRIA News

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Violent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia entered a dangerous escalation, claiming at least 32 lives, mostly civilians, and displacing nearly 200,000 people on both sides of the long-contested border. The fighting entered its fourth day on July 27.

Thai and Cambodian forces have been trading artillery and small arms fire for the last three days as international leaders and regional organizations have failed to broker a ceasefire.

The clashes erupted on July 24, 2025, after a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers along the frontier, quickly spiraling into an extended military confrontation that now spans at least 12 locations.

By July 26, Cambodian officials reported 12 new deaths, bringing their total to 13, while Thai military sources confirmed the death of another soldier, pushing their toll to 20, including 13 civilians and 7 soldiers.

Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said that 37,635 people, representing 10,865 families, had fled their homes in three provinces. Thai authorities said over 131,000 civilians have been evacuated from villages bordering Cambodia.

The clash has now escalated into the most violent confrontation between the two countries in over a decade. New fronts have emerged far from the original battlegrounds in Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Srisaket provinces. Thai military officials reported combat in the coastal province of Trat, while Cambodia accused Thailand of firing shells into Pursat province, over 100 kilometers from the earlier conflict zones.

Both countries have since recalled their ambassadors and closed major border crossings, signaling the deterioration of diplomatic ties amid growing fears of broader conflict.

History of a fractured friendship

The roots of the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia go back more than a century, tied to unresolved border demarcations following the French colonial period in Cambodia. The two countries have periodically clashed over territories surrounding ancient Khmer temples and rural settlements along the border. In 2011, similar skirmishes over the Preah Vihear temple site left 20 people dead.

Thai artillery conducting a fire mission against Cambodian troop positions. pic.twitter.com/DQXNmIaOdn

— FUNKER530 (@FunkerActual) July 24, 2025

The current tensions were initially reignited in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief altercation. That incident triggered diplomatic protests and soured bilateral relations, particularly within the context of Thailand’s shifting domestic politics.

Cross-border blame and accusations

As diplomatic efforts stalled, the rhetoric between the two governments intensified. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry accused Thailand of launching a “premeditated and unprovoked act of aggression” after artillery shells struck Pursat province on July 26.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata warned that clashes had expanded into the coastal province of Koh Kong and could escalate into naval confrontations.

Thailand’s military denied the charges and accused Cambodian forces of hiding artillery in residential areas, effectively using civilians as human shields. The Thai navy said its forces had “successfully pushed back” Cambodian incursions in three separate locations along the coast. In a strongly worded statement, the Navy warned that “aggression will not be tolerated.”

Additionally, Thai authorities alleged that Cambodian artillery shells landed in neighboring Laos, damaging homes. Lao officials have not commented on the claim.

Weapons used in Thailand-Cambodia conflict

The ongoing conflict has seen a sharp escalation in the use of military hardware, with both sides deploying a wide range of advanced weaponry. The Royal Thai Air Force carried out precision airstrikes using four F-16 and Gripen fighter jets, targeting Cambodian artillery positions near Phu Ma Kua and Ta Muen Thom Temple.

Both targets were reportedly used by Cambodian forces to launch indirect fire into Thai territory. The Thai military confirmed that the operation was successful and that all aircraft returned safely to base. 

In addition to airpower, Thailand has reinforced its ground forces by deploying Ukrainian-made BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers, M60A3 Patton tanks, Type 85 APCs, LG1 Mk III 105mm howitzers, and VL MICA surface-to-air missile systems along the Cambodian border, particularly near Poi Pet.

Cambodia has been accused by Thailand of positioning artillery in civilian areas and indiscriminately firing into Thai territory. Cambodian forces have not released detailed information on their deployed systems, but reports indicate the use of long-range indirect fire weapons and drones for surveillance and targeting.

Use of banned weapons

The humanitarian cost of the conflict is growing by the hour. Thailand has closed 852 schools and seven hospitals near the conflict zones. Human Rights Watch has condemned both nations for failing to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“Neither Thailand nor Cambodia appears to be paying attention to international humanitarian law at great expense to civilians,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. “Diplomatic efforts underway need to prioritize protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

Human Rights Watch also raised alarm over reports that Thailand had used cluster munitions, which are banned under international law due to their indiscriminate effects. Cambodia has accused Thailand of deploying these weapons in populated areas. While Thai officials initially denied the charge, a military spokesperson later stated that such munitions could be used “when necessary” to achieve tactical objectives.

Neither Thailand nor Cambodia is a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, though Thailand has previously used the weapon during the 2011 clashes.

International pressure for a ceasefire

Global leaders have expressed concern over the escalating violence. On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that he had spoken to both Thailand’s acting Prime Minister and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, warning both leaders that continued violence would jeopardize any future trade agreements with the United States.

“Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace. They are also looking to get back to the “Trading Table” with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS,” Trump stated, adding that both sides had agreed “in principle” to meet for ceasefire negotiations. However, officials from both countries have yet to confirm any such meeting.

The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session on Friday, where all 15 members urged restraint and emphasized a peaceful resolution. No official resolution was passed, but the Council called on ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to step in and mediate.

Malaysia, which currently holds ASEAN’s rotating chair, said both Thailand and Cambodia have expressed openness to a ceasefire. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reportedly tasked Malaysia’s foreign minister with facilitating dialogue, though no formal talks have been announced.

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa stated that his country had accepted ASEAN’s ceasefire proposal “in principle,” but added that Cambodia must cease all hostilities first. “Thailand reaffirms its commitment to resolving the conflict peacefully and in accordance with international law,” Maris said, urging Cambodia to “return to the negotiating table with sincerity and in good faith.”

Cambodia’s ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, said that Phnom Penh was ready for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire”, emphasizing Cambodia’s desire for a peaceful resolution.

Path to peace remains uncertain

Despite mounting international pressure, the outlook for peace remains unclear. Thailand maintains that Cambodia must end all hostilities before formal talks can proceed. Cambodia, on the other hand, insists it is ready for a ceasefire and wants negotiations to begin immediately.

As both sides continue to mobilize troops and weaponry along the frontier, the threat of wider conflict looms. The situation remains fluid, and unless decisive diplomatic action is taken soon, the region risks plunging into deeper instability, threatening not only bilateral relations but the broader security of Southeast Asia.