BANGKOK, July 24 – Tensions flared into open conflict on Thursday as Thai and Cambodian forces engaged in intense clashes along their shared border, leading to multiple casualties and a serious diplomatic fallout. The confrontation, which involved small arms fire, artillery shelling, and airstrikes by Thai jets, marked one of the most significant escalations in years between the Southeast Asian neighbors.
According to the Thai Health Ministry, at least 12 people in Thailand have lost their lives—11 of them civilians. Videos circulating from the Thai side show villagers scrambling for safety, fleeing homes and taking shelter in concrete bunkers as explosions and gunfire echoed across the border.
The violence erupted following a landmine explosion on Wednesday that injured five Thai soldiers. The incident served as the immediate catalyst for the conflict, with Bangkok quickly withdrawing its ambassador from Cambodia and ordering the Cambodian envoy to leave in response.
Mine Blast Sparks Outrage, Triggers Border Violence
Clashes were reported in at least six locations across the 500-mile border, with the Thai Defense Ministry confirming ongoing hostilities. Officials cited the landmine incident as a clear violation of previous agreements that designated certain paths as safe zones. Thai authorities claimed the mines were of Russian origin and not the type used by their own military, implying they had been recently planted by Cambodian forces. In contrast, Cambodia rejected the allegation, labeling it baseless and highlighting the long-standing issue of leftover unexploded ordnance from past conflicts.
The first exchange of gunfire occurred close to the historic Ta Muen Thom temple, which sits near the border of Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, a location often at the center of territorial disputes. According to Thai military officials, six armed Cambodian soldiers were seen approaching Thai positions, following the sound of a drone. Thai soldiers claimed they attempted to de-escalate the situation verbally, but were fired upon, prompting a response.
Cambodia disputed this sequence of events, stating that Thailand had first launched a drone and then initiated the gunfire. Cambodian defense officials insisted their actions were purely defensive, describing the Thai incursion as unprovoked and in violation of Cambodian sovereignty.
In a swift reaction, Thai forces initiated airstrikes on what they called “strategic military targets” inside Cambodia. The Cambodian Defense Ministry, however, said the airstrikes targeted civilian infrastructure, including a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple—a site with a long history of violent clashes. Cambodian officials accused Thailand of bombing non-military areas and violating international norms.
Diplomatic Breakdown and Regional Implications
The fallout from Thursday’s violence has been rapid and wide-reaching. Thailand’s foreign ministry confirmed the closure of all land border crossings with Cambodia and issued a call for all Thai citizens residing in Cambodia to return home immediately. Multiple Thai communities near the border were cleared out as a safety measure.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the death toll had reached 11, including 10 civilians and one member of the Thai military. Another 28 individuals have been injured, including four soldiers. Cambodia has not yet released details of casualties on its side, but its defense leadership emphasized that any military response was defensive in nature.
In Phnom Penh, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet appealed to the United Nations Security Council, requesting an urgent meeting to address what he described as “aggression” from Thailand. Cambodia also responded by downgrading diplomatic relations and recalling its staff from the embassy in Bangkok.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry representative, Nikorndej Balankura, claimed Cambodia had targeted both military facilities and civilian sites within Thai territory, including a hospital. He warned that Thailand was ready to expand its self-defense measures if Cambodian hostilities continued, emphasizing that all actions would be consistent with international law and respect for national sovereignty.
This latest conflict comes on the heels of a fatal border confrontation in May, which saw a Cambodian soldier killed. That incident already placed considerable pressure on bilateral relations, with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra facing domestic criticism for what some perceived as a weak stance during a conciliatory call with Cambodian leadership. The backlash led to her suspension and an ethics investigation, further complicating Thailand’s political climate.
The border between Thailand and Cambodia has long been a point of contention, with disputes dating back decades. Though occasional skirmishes have occurred, most have been limited in scale. Thursday’s hostilities, however, indicate a troubling shift toward greater militarization and deteriorating diplomatic channels.