Global Conflict Reporting

Tag: Border dispute

  • Cambodia and Thailand forces exchange heavy cross border fire.

    By. Scott Jackson

    07/24/2025

    On Thursday, July 24th, 2025 cross border shelling and small-arms fire was exchanged between soldiers of the countries of Thailand and Cambodia.

    Diplomatic relations broke down between the two South Asian neighbors of Thailand and Cambodia after a border skirmish in May left one Cambodian troop killed. Tensions worsened on Wednesday (07/22/2025) when a Thai soldier lost a leg from a landmine that Thailand says was planted in a disputed territory. Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador and recalled their own.

    Thursday, the situation escalated horribly. Armed clashes broke out between border forces. Small arms fire was exchanged in the area of the Ta Muen Thom Temple – which lies in disputed territory in the south of Thailand’s Surin province and in Cambodia’s northwest. Thailand claimed Cambodia had deployed a drone near the temple before sending in ground forces.A statement from the Thai military claims that Cambodia fired heavy weapons into the nearby Kap Choeng district. Videos circulating on social media correlate that statement by showing both a Russian-made BM-21 Grad Multi launch Rocket System (MLRS) and a Czechoslovak-made RM-70 GRAD 122mm rocket launchers being used by Cambodian forces. The rocket fire caused Thailand to order an evacuation of the area.

    Video shows a Russian-produced Grad launcher being used by Cambodian forces. We can’t see exactly who is firing this weapon however Thailand does not have this weapons system in its arsenal.
    Video shows Czechoslovak-made RM-70 GRAD 122mm rocket launcher in use by Cambodian forces.
    Video shows the aftermath of a Cambodian rocket attack which hit this PTT gas station in Ban Phue Sisaket Province.


    “The attack injured three civilians. Thai authorities have promptly evacuated residents from the area to ensure the safety of lives and property,” the Thai military said in a statement.

    “Cambodian forces acted strictly within the bounds of self-defence, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity,”Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, a cambodian defense ministry spokesperson said. 

    The US embassy put out a statement warning US citizens living or visiting Thailand “U.S. citizens living or traveling near the Thailand-Cambodia border should follow direction from Thai security services and consult local government authorities for the latest information”

    After the rocket attacks, which lit fires in the nearby Kap Choeng district, Thailand responded by launching F-16 fighter jets which Thailand’s second military command said struck two Cambodian regional military headquarters, destroying them.

    An F-16 in the service of the Royal Thai Air Force.


    Right now the fighting has remained centered around the border region, however the situation has the potential to escalate into a much wider regional conflict with the possibility of drawing in other world powers. Cambodia maintains a distinct military partnership with China, who helps fund their defense. They also have connections to the US, though not as strongly as Thailand, who operate many US weapons systems and participate in US military exercises .

    This is an ongoing story. Stay tuned for new updates. As of the latest info Cambodia is currently trying to deploy tanks into the Satta Som Mountain area in Ban Phumsarol. Thailand has deployed UAV’s and is claiming to have destroyed several armed vehicles.