Bangkok, July 24th, 2025 – The Thai government has issued a strong condemnation of Cambodia’s recent military actions, accusing its neighbor of targeting civilian areas in a series of escalating border clashes. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as “severe violations of international law” and pledged to intensify self-defense measures to protect national sovereignty and its citizens from what it called inhumane actions.
The latest violence erupted on Thursday morning near the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province as we covered previously here, with both nations accusing each other of initiating the conflict. Thai authorities reported that Cambodian forces fired heavy artillery, including BM-21 rockets, into civilian areas across three provinces—Sisaket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani—resulting in significant casualties and damage. At least nine Thai civilians, including an 8-year-old boy, have been confirmed killed, with over a dozen others wounded.
A particularly devastating attack struck a PTT gas station in Ban Phue in Sisaket province, where six civilians were killed and ten others injured. Video footage from the scene showed thick black smoke rising from the site as firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze.
The Thai military reported that Cambodian troops deployed a surveillance drone and used heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, in areas near the Ta Moan Thom temple. In response, Thailand deployed six F-16 fighter jets, one of which conducted airstrikes on Cambodian military targets, destroying a forward troop position. Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in a statement, condemned Cambodia’s actions, declaring that “the time for negotiations has passed” and affirming the military’s readiness to defend Thai sovereignty.
Cambodia, however, has rejected Thailand’s accusations, claiming its forces acted in self-defense following an alleged incursion by Thai troops. Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence condemned Thailand’s airstrikes, stating that two bombs were dropped on a road, describing the action as “reckless and brutal military aggression” against Cambodian sovereignty. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to address what he described as Thailand’s “unprovoked, premeditated, and deliberate attacks. Meanwhile, Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra personally accused former friend and now rival Hun Sen of personally ordering the morning attacks.
The conflict, rooted in a century-long dispute over sections of the 817km Thailand-Cambodia border, has reignited nationalist sentiments in both countries. The area around the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple and other sites, such as Ta Muen Thom, has been a recurring flashpoint, with tensions escalating since a skirmish in May 2025 that killed a Cambodian soldier. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, but disputes over surrounding areas persist and Thailand does not recognize the International Court of Justice.
International calls for de-escalation have so far yielded little progress. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of ASEAN, and China have urged both nations to pursue dialogue. However, Thailand’s closure of all border crossings with Cambodia and the mutual expulsion of ambassadors signal a deepening diplomatic crisis
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As the situation remains volatile, Thai authorities have ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents near the border, and the military remains on high alert. The international community continues to monitor the conflict, with fears that further escalation could destabilize the region.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
