July 24, 2025
Heavy fighting has broken out along the Thailand-Cambodia border with the Royal Cambodian Army launching multiple rocket attacks on Thai border towns, prompting immediate border closures and retaliatory airstrikes in what observers are calling the most dangerous escalation between the two nations since 2011.
The violence erupted early Thursday morning when Cambodian forces fired BM-21 rockets at several Thai border towns, targeting civilian infrastructure, including a historical site,a hospital, and residential areas. Video footage circulating on social media shows Cambodian troops opening fire on Thai territory, resulting in heartbreaking scenes of civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
Thailand Responds with Border Closure and Airstrikes
In immediate response to the attacks, Thailand closed all border crossings with Cambodia and launched airstrikes on two Cambodian military installations. The Thai Royal Army justified the air attacks as necessary retaliation to protect Thai citizens and territory from what they characterized as unprovoked Cambodian aggression.
The fighting has spread to six separate locations along the disputed border with northeastern Thailand, with both armies now engaged in sustained artillery and rocket exchanges. At least one civilian has been confirmed killed, while seven soldiers have been injured in the gunfire and artillery bombardments that continue to rage across the border zone.
Decades-Old Temple Dispute Sparks Latest Violence
Key factors driving the conflict:
- Territorial disputes over the Preah Vihear temple complex
- Contested boundaries in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces
- Recent Thai military actions near sacred temple sites
- Unresolved border demarcation dating back to the colonial era
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet defended the rocket attacks, stating they were “in response to actions by the Thai army” near temples in the provinces of Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Ubon Ratchathani. The Cambodian leadership has framed their military action as defensive, claiming Thai forces violated Cambodian sovereignty in these contested areas.
This latest outbreak represents a dramatic escalation of tensions that have been building for months over armed conflicts in territory claimed by both sides. The dispute centers on the same ancient temple complexes that sparked similar violent clashes in 2008 and 2011, when major military confrontations required international diplomatic intervention to resolve.
Current Situation Remains Volatile
The humanitarian impact continues to mount as active combat persists at multiple border locations. Cross-border movement has been completely halted with all trade and tourism suspended indefinitely. Border communities are under evacuation orders as the fighting shows no signs of abating.
Live developments include:
- Ongoing artillery exchanges between both armies
- First use of air power in recent border conflicts
- No ceasefire negotiations currently underway
- International concern growing over regional destabilization
Neither side has shown willingness to back down, with both nations deploying heavy weapons and maintaining aggressive military postures. The conflict has evolved from diplomatic tensions to active warfare, marking the most serious breakdown in Thailand-Cambodia relations in over a decade.
The situation remains extremely fluid with the potential for further escalation as both militaries remain engaged in what appears to be the opening phase of a broader border conflict. International observers are calling for immediate diplomatic intervention to prevent the crisis from spiraling into a wider regional war.
