Thailand-Cambodia war breaks out: All you need to know about the conflict

In a dramatic escalation of a decades-old dispute, Thailand and Cambodia are locked in a fiery border conflict that has sent shockwaves through Southeast Asia. On 24 July 2025, Thailand unleashed F-16 airstrikes on Cambodian military targets, while Cambodia retaliated with artillery barrages, plunging the region into a tense standoff.

The clashes, rooted in historical disputes over territories like the Preah Vihear temple, have claimed lives, shattered diplomatic ties, and raised fears of a broader regional crisis. Yet, amidst the chaos, both nations are urged to seek peace to avoid a full-scale war.

Airstrikes and artillery: Conflict intensifies

The spark for this latest conflict came early on 24 July, when Thailand’s air force conducted precision airstrikes, obliterating two Cambodian military headquarters, according to Thai military sources. Cambodia, reeling from the assault, accused Thailand of “brutal, barbaric aggression” and responded with artillery fire that rocked Thai border provinces like Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani.

The human toll is grim: at least 11 Thai civilians, including a heartbreaking loss of an 8-year-old boy, and one Thai soldier have been killed, with 14 others injured. Cambodia has yet to disclose its casualties, but former premier Hun Sen confirmed shelling in two provinces, hinting at significant losses.

The violence has spread to six border locations, with Thailand alleging that Cambodia targeted civilian infrastructure, including a hospital—a move condemned as a potential war crime by Thailand’s Health Minister, Somsak Thepsuthin.

Cambodia, in turn, denies planting new landmines, blaming historical ordnance from past conflicts.

The military imbalance is stark: Thailand’s 361,000-strong force, backed by Gripen jets and modern tanks, dwarfs Cambodia’s smaller, less-equipped army. Yet, Cambodia’s defiant response signals a resolve to stand firm, raising the stakes for both nations.

Diplomatic fallout and regional tensions

The conflict has shredded diplomatic relations, with Thailand recalling its ambassador, expelling Cambodia’s, and sealing all border crossings. Cambodia has appealed to the United Nations Security Council, with Prime Minister Hun Manet warning that the violence “gravely threatens regional peace.”

Both nations, members of ASEAN, are bound by a charter promoting peaceful dispute resolution, but the current tit-for-tat measures—Cambodia banning Thai fruit imports and Thailand threatening to cut electricity—suggest a deepening rift.

In Thailand, the crisis has political ramifications. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces suspension after a leaked call with Hun Sen appeared to criticise Thai military actions, fuelling domestic unrest. Analysts, like Thitinan Pongsudhirak from Chulalongkorn University, warn that the situation “is likely to worsen before it improves,” with Thailand preparing more F-16 jets for potential strikes. The Thai embassy has urged its citizens to flee Cambodia, citing a conflict that “may expand.”

Call for peace amid rising stakes

As the world watches, the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict teeters on a knife’s edge. The historical feud over the Preah Vihear temple and other disputed territories has long simmered, but this latest eruption demands urgent international attention.

The UN Security Council’s impending meeting could be a pivotal moment to broker peace, with ASEAN’s role as a mediator under scrutiny. For now, civilians on both sides bear the brunt, with communities shattered by rocket attacks and shelling.

The international community must rally to de-escalate this volatile situation. While the conflict is serious, there’s hope that diplomacy can prevail, preventing a slide into a broader war. As Thailand and Cambodia trade blows, the region holds its breath, yearning for a resolution to restore calm to this troubled border.