Image Credentials: Image Title: Thailand–Cambodia Border Clashes Escalate into Second Day of Fighting, Civilians Displaced Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: July 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
Bangkok/Phnom Penh — July 25, 2025
Hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia continued for a second day along their disputed border, with sustained military action on both sides leaving dozens dead or wounded and forcing over 135,000 civilians to flee their homes.
The renewed fighting, which began in the early hours of July 24, has intensified as Thailand conducted fresh airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets, and artillery fire was exchanged throughout July 25. Cambodian military officials reported two separate airstrikes in the morning, targeting Chong An Ma and Chong Ta Thao, both located along the contentious border in the vicinity of Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province.
At a press conference, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed the use of Lockheed Martin F-16s by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), reportedly armed with conventional 500 lb bombs and at least one Korean GPS-Guided Bomb (KGGB) kit manufactured by LIG Nex1. Aerial images from the region circulating on social media corroborated the presence of such munitions.
Artillery exchanges and heavy weapon fire have been reported in Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces in Thailand, as well as across the border in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province. According to Thai authorities, Thursday’s rocket strikes by Cambodia caused multiple casualties, while unexploded ordnance teams are currently active in affected districts.
Rising Civilian Toll and Mass Evacuations
By Friday evening, the humanitarian impact had escalated. Thailand’s Ministry of Health confirmed that more than 130,000 Thai civilians had evacuated to temporary shelters. In Cambodia, over 4,000 people have reportedly fled their homes in border regions. Videos from both countries showed scenes of panic, with villagers packing belongings into trucks and sleeping under tarps, university gyms, or makeshift shelters.
Evacuee Ngerntra Pranoram, speaking from a shelter in Surin, said, “Nobody wants this to happen. I feel for the elderly and the disabled. It’s very difficult for them to get here.”
Thailand’s government has since declared martial law in the provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat, though neither province has seen direct conflict. The move grants the Thai military sweeping powers, including detention without formal charges and potential curfews.
A Dispute Rooted in History and Power Imbalance
The current flare-up follows the wounding of five Thai soldiers in a landmine blast earlier in the week. But tensions have been simmering since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a clash at the tri-border Emerald Triangle, where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge.
The 800-kilometer border has long been a source of dispute. It was originally demarcated during the French colonial era, leaving behind ambiguities over sovereignty, especially around sacred religious sites such as Preah Vihear and other temple ruins.
“Both sides, Cambodians and Thais, feel resentful of history,” said Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University. Thais think that the French took some land from Thailand and gave it to Cambodia. Cambodians think that this is their civilization from a long, long time ago, and ultimately this is their land.”
Despite the deep-rooted resentment, there is a notable power asymmetry. Thailand’s military is significantly larger, boasting around 361,000 active-duty personnel, three times Cambodia’s strength. As a U.S.-designated major non-NATO ally, Thailand has long benefited from U.S. military support and advanced defense systems.
Disputed Use of Cluster Munitions
One of the most concerning aspects of the renewed conflict is the reported use of cluster munitions. Cambodian officials accused Thailand of using such weapons early Friday. The Royal Thai Army did not deny the allegations, stating that the military “will consider using cluster munitions as necessary against military targets.”
Cluster munitions are banned by over 100 countries under the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) due to the long-term risks they pose to civilians, as unexploded submunitions can detonate years later. However, neither Thailand nor Cambodia is party to the CCM. The United States, Russia, and China also remain outside the treaty.
ASEAN Ceasefire Proposal Rejected
Diplomatic efforts for de-escalation have so far failed. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of backing out of a ceasefire agreement proposed by ASEAN. Thailand responded that it appreciated the offer “in principle” but claimed Cambodian forces had continued attacks throughout the day.
Thailand’s Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa, condemned the strikes on civilians. “This is not just a breach of borders. It is a breach of humanity,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Political Turmoil in Bangkok
The clashes have coincided with a moment of political volatility in Thailand. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from her duties earlier this month following the leak of a phone call with Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen, during which she appeared to question the Thai military’s actions. The incident has sparked fresh debate about civil-military relations in a country where the military has staged numerous coups and holds significant sway in national politics.
U.S. and Chinese Responses
Both the United States and China have called for immediate de-escalation. The U.S. Embassy in Thailand advised American citizens on Friday to avoid traveling within 50 kilometers of the border. China, which has strong ties to both nations, has issued similar warnings and urged both governments to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
Outlook
As border clashes continue with no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, the prospect of further escalation looms. While both militaries are likely reluctant to commit to a full-scale war, the combination of historical grievance, contested territory, and national pride makes the current standoff volatile and unpredictable.
The region now watches with apprehension as both nations mobilize for what could be a prolonged confrontation, one that threatens regional stability and could force ASEAN and the broader international community into more direct mediation.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.