Deadly clashes erupt along border of Cambodia, Thailand

[ad_1] BANGKOK, Thailand – Armed clashes broke out between Thai and Cambodian troopers alongside a disputed border area on Thursday leaving not less than 12 individuals useless, an escalation in a long-simmering battle that had grown extra tense in current weeks.

Video: Lethal clashes erupt alongside border of Cambodia, Thailand The 2 sides fired small arms, rockets and artillery, and Thailand referred to as in airstrikes on targets in Cambodia. Thai officers stated Thursday they have been closing the border completely.

The flashpoint gave the impression to be the traditional Ta Muon Thom temple, a disputed web site nestled on a mountain in Thailand’s Surin province. The preliminary engagement quickly expanded, engulfing 4 Thai provinces bordering Cambodia’s northern frontier: Surin; Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, and Buriram, based on Thailand’s 2nd Area Military Command.

Every nation accused the opposite of beginning Thursday’s skirmishes. The Thai military stated its forces heard a drone earlier than seeing six armed Cambodian troopers transferring nearer to Thai army positions on the border, then opening hearth. Cambodia’s protection ministry stated that Thailand deployed a drone first earlier than opening hearth and that Cambodian troops reacted in self-defense.

In an announcement, the Thai army stated it “condemns Cambodia for utilizing weapons to assault civilians in Thailand. Thailand is able to shield sovereignty and our individuals from inhuman motion.”

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote to the president of the U.N. Safety Council asking for an pressing assembly to cease “unprovoked and premeditated army aggression” by Thailand. In a publish on Fb, he appealed to Cambodians to “preserve their morality and dignity, and to keep away from discrimination or any actions that might have an effect on the Royal Thai Embassy in Cambodia, Thai Firms, and Thai residents residing in Cambodia.”

Thailand’s appearing prime minister, Phumtham Vejjayachai, stated in remarks to reporters that the combating should cease earlier than there may be negotiations with Cambodia.

These killed included one soldier and 11 civilians, based on the Thai well being ministry. At the very least eight troopers and 35 civilians have been injured, the ministry stated. Thailand has evacuated greater than 40,000 individuals from border areas, transferring a lot of them to non permanent shelters.

Residents shelter throughout clashes alongside the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia in Buriram, Thailand, July 24, 2025. (Prajoub Sukprom/Reuters)

Cambodia has not but commented on casualties on its facet. Protection ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata didn't present element when requested at a information convention.

Thursday’s combating got here after weeks of escalating stress following a taking pictures incident on Could 28 that killed a Cambodian soldier. Since then, Cambodia has petitioned the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice, banned some Thai imports, and introduced it might start conscripting youthful residents beginning subsequent yr.

On Wednesday, Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador and recalled its envoy to Phnom Penh after beforehand closing some border crossings. Thailand’s former prime minister was suspended after a leaked name between her and Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former prime minister, sparked a political fracas.

The 800 kilometer lengthy boundary between Cambodia and Thailand has been a supply of rivalry for many years, with historical temples and historic claims often igniting diplomatic friction.