Thailand has launched air strikes against the Cambodian forces along their disputed border after the troops exchanged fire in a spectacular eruption of tensions between the two neighbors in Southeast Asia.
The Thai Cambodia Embassy warned its citizens to leave the country as soon as it was possible to do so safely.
- Thailand accused Cambodia troops of shooting first
- Cambodia says that the troops acted in self -defense after the Thai incursion
- The first confrontation broke out near the temple in the disputed border area
- Thailand said its F-16 jets bombed two military seats
Follow Newsweek for live updates.
A Multiple Cambodian BM-21 rocket launcher returns from the Cambodia-Thai border while the Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire in a new series of clashes in the province of Preah Vihear on July 24, 2025.
A Multiple Cambodian BM-21 rocket launcher returns from the Cambodia-Thai border while the Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire in a new series of clashes in the province of Preah Vihear on July 24, 2025.
Str / AFP via Getty Images
Why are Thailand and Cambodia?
Border disputes are long -standing problems that have caused periodic tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. The most important and violent conflicts were around the Preah Vihear temple, 1,000 years old.
Relations between the neighbors of Southeast Asia have deteriorated strongly since May 2025, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an armed confrontation in another of the several small plots of land that the two countries claim as their own territory.
The Thai army said about the initial confrontation on Thursday, July 24, that its forces had heard an unmanned air vehicle before seeing six armed Cambodian soldiers get closer to Thailand.
He said Thai soldiers tried to scream them to defuse the situation, but the Cambodian part began to open fire.
On Wednesday, July 23, an explosion of earthly mine near the border injured five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost one leg.
A week earlier, an earthly mine in another disputed area exploded and injured three Thai soldiers when one of them walked on it and lost a foot.
The Thai authorities allegedly alleged that the mines were newly placed on the paths which, by mutual agreement, were supposed to be sure. They said that the mines were of Russian manufacturing and not a type used by the soldiers of Thailand.
Cambodia rejected the account of Thailand as “baseless accusations”, stressing that many unplodced mines and other ammunition are a heritage of 20th century wars and troubles.
This message uses reports by the Associated Press.
Cambodia accuses Thailand of “uninsured, premeditated and deliberate attacks”
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the Thai armed forces of having launched “uninsured, premeditated and deliberate attacks against Cambodia positions along the border areas, notably Tamone Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple and Mom Bei, in the provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey.”
The declaration described him as “the act of aggression constitutes a blatant and serious violation of international law”.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia condemns this imprudent and hostile act in Thailand in the strongest possible terms,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Such a non -provoked military aggression not only puts peace and stability at our common border, but also demonstrates total contempt for regional standards and international legal obligations.
“Cambodia calls on Thailand to immediately cease hostilities, to withdraw its forces on its side of the border and to refrain from any other provocative action which could degenerate the situation.”
Phnom Penh also warned: “Cambodia reaffirms its unshakable commitment to peace, dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes. However, Cambodia also reserves its right inherent in self -defense, as recognized in article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and will take all the necessary measures to protect its sovereign and territorial integrity and the security of its people.”
Declaration of problems of the Thai government, recalls the ambassador
The Thai government accused the Cambodian forces of placing anti-personal land mines in Thai territory which have caused injuries to patrol the troops in recent days, before the last confrontation took place.
In a statement, the Thai government said that “heavy artillery had been drawn in the Thai military base and continued throughout the morning” Thursday, July 24, also accusing Cambodian forces of hitting civil zones, leading to death.
Thailand remembers its ambassador to Cambodia in response, he said, and asked that Cambodia does the same.
“The Thai royal government urges Cambodia to stop its repeated act which constitutes a serious violation of international law,” the statement said.
“Such actions fundamentally contradict the principles of good neighborhood relations and good faith, and will know more about Cambodia’s reputation and credibility on the world scene.
“The Royal Thai government calls on Cambodia to assume responsibility for the incidents that have occurred, to stop attacks against civilities and targets and to stop all the actions that violate Thailand’s sovereignty.
“The Royal Thai government is ready to intensify our self -defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and its violations on the sovereignty of Thailand in accordance with international law and principles.”