Tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border escalated sharply on Friday, July 25, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 people and displacing over 1,00,000 civilians. The violent clashes — involving small arms, artillery, and missile exchanges — mark the most serious confrontation between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in more than a decade. The ongoing dispute centres around long-contested sections of the border.
Both countries have reinforced their military presence, deploying additional infantry regiments to four provinces. On Thursday, Thailand launched airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets to target six Cambodian military installations, responding to artillery shelling by Cambodia on several Thai border towns. Fighter jets on both sides remain on standby, with combat operations resuming early Friday near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple — a flashpoint in the territorial conflict.
Cambodia reported four civilian injuries and the displacement of over 4,000 residents due to the recent hostilities. In an official statement, the Thai government warned that it is prepared to escalate its self-defence measures if Cambodia continues its “armed attacks and violations of Thailand’s sovereignty.” Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis remain uncertain amid the intensifying violence.
