BLiTZ
Tensions along the long-contested border between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into open military conflict on July 24, when the Thai military conducted an airstrike targeting Cambodian forces. This recent escalation highlights the fragile peace and unresolved territorial disputes that have simmered between the two Southeast Asian neighbors for decades.
The root of the conflict lies in a stretch of land that has been contested since colonial times, when French Indochina’s mapmaking created ambiguous borders. This legacy has caused repeated disputes over the years, particularly around the area near the 11th-century Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, a site of both cultural and strategic significance.
Since 2008, sporadic clashes have broken out periodically between Thai and Cambodian forces. These have often involved artillery exchanges, ground skirmishes, and accusations of border incursions, but the recent violence marks one of the most severe escalations in recent memory.
According to an official statement from the Thai army, Thailand launched an airstrike against Cambodian military targets early on July 24. Deputy spokesperson for the Thai army, Richa Suksuwanon, confirmed the operation, stating that air power was deployed “against military targets as planned.”
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that two bombs were dropped by a Thai aircraft on a road near the disputed border region. The specific target of the strike has not been fully disclosed, but it was apparently a military installation or convoy.
The airstrike is significant because it marks a notable intensification of military tactics beyond previous ground skirmishes and artillery shelling. It also underscores Thailand’s readiness to escalate militarily if diplomatic efforts fail.
Much of the recent fighting has centered on the area surrounding the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, an ancient Khmer site that sits atop a strategic hill overlooking the border region. Both sides claim sovereignty over the territory, with the temple itself and the surrounding land often serving as flashpoints for conflict.
During the latest round of fighting, Cambodian artillery reportedly fired on Thai positions near the temple, with Thai officials alleging that these attacks resulted in the deaths of 11 civilians on the Thai side. Videos circulating on social media appear to show a petrol station ablaze, allegedly caused by a Cambodian rocket strike.
The violence has caused significant civilian displacement. Thai authorities ordered evacuations of villages across four provinces along the border to protect residents from the intensifying conflict.
Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Thai airstrike, calling it “unprovoked, premeditated, and deliberate attacks” against Cambodian territory. Phnom Penh maintains that its military actions have been defensive in nature, responding to ongoing Thai provocations.
Cambodian officials have demanded that Thai troops withdraw immediately to their side of the border, accusing Bangkok of encroaching on Cambodian sovereignty.
In response, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry placed blame squarely on Cambodia for escalating the violence. Bangkok cited recent landmine incidents that injured Thai soldiers, alleging that these mines were newly planted by Cambodian forces and not remnants from previous conflicts. These claims are particularly sensitive, as both sides have accused each other of laying mines in the past.
Moreover, Thai officials reported that on the same day as the airstrike, Cambodian heavy artillery targeted a Thai military base, further fueling tensions.
Diplomatically, Thailand has taken the step of recalling its ambassador from Phnom Penh, signaling serious displeasure. Bangkok also expects Cambodia to take similar diplomatic measures, though Phnom Penh has yet to announce any such action.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has long been a source of instability in Southeast Asia, threatening to undermine broader regional security. Both countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an organization that emphasizes peaceful conflict resolution and regional cooperation. However, this recent escalation risks undermining ASEAN’s cohesion and reputation.
The conflict also complicates relations amid other regional challenges, including economic recovery post-COVID-19 and tensions in the South China Sea. An active military confrontation risks diverting resources and attention away from pressing social and economic priorities.
International observers have urged both countries to exercise restraint and return to diplomatic negotiations. The United Nations and ASEAN have called for calm and expressed concern over the humanitarian consequences of the fighting, especially the impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.
The latest clashes have led to significant civilian casualties and displacement. With 11 civilians reported dead due to Cambodian artillery fire, the humanitarian toll is rising. Villagers in the border provinces have been forced to flee their homes, seeking shelter elsewhere to avoid the ongoing violence.
Emergency relief efforts have been hampered by continued fighting, with access to affected areas remaining limited. Human rights organizations have expressed concern about the safety of displaced persons and called for immediate humanitarian aid.
Over the years, several attempts have been made to demarcate the border more clearly and resolve disputes peacefully. In the 1960s and 70s, conflict over the area was part of broader regional turmoil linked to the Vietnam War and internal Cambodian strife.
More recently, Cambodia and Thailand have engaged in talks mediated by ASEAN and other international actors. However, progress has been slow and repeatedly stalled by nationalist rhetoric and mutual distrust.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been involved in resolving certain border issues, notably the 2013 ruling on the Preah Vihear Temple. While the ICJ awarded sovereignty over the temple itself to Cambodia, surrounding territories remain disputed.
With the latest military actions, the risk of a full-scale conflict looms larger. Both sides appear unwilling to back down without securing their territorial claims. This makes a diplomatic breakthrough more difficult but no less urgent.
ASEAN and the international community are likely to increase diplomatic pressure on Thailand and Cambodia to return to negotiations and de-escalate tensions.
For local populations, the priority remains safety and stability. The continuation of hostilities threatens livelihoods, disrupts cross-border trade, and deepens mistrust between communities historically linked by culture and commerce.
The July 24 airstrike by Thailand against Cambodian military targets marks a dangerous escalation in a long-standing border dispute. Rooted in colonial-era boundary ambiguities and fueled by nationalistic fervor, the conflict has already caused civilian deaths, forced evacuations, and damaged fragile diplomatic relations.
Both Thailand and Cambodia face a critical choice: pursue a path of military confrontation that risks further devastation or recommit to peaceful dialogue and respect for international legal frameworks. The broader region, and the people living along this contentious border, will be watching closely – hoping for a resolution before the dispute spirals into a wider crisis.
Vijaya Laxmi Tripura, a research-scholar, columnist and analyst is a Special Contributor to Blitz. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa.