Thailand and Cambodia clash over border disputes, resulting in casualties

In Thailand, tensions with Cambodia escalated dramatically on July 24, 2025, as both nations engaged in intense military conflict near their shared border. This altercation led to the tragic death of 11 civilians and one soldier, alongside numerous injuries. The discord began early in the morning around the Ta Moan Thom temple complex, located in Surin province of Thailand and Oddar Meanchey province of Cambodia, where Thai officials reported a drone sighting along with six Cambodian soldiers near a Thai Army outpost. The situation deteriorated as soldiers from both sides failed to negotiate a de-escalation and soon gunfire erupted. In retaliation, Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike what they termed military targets within Cambodia's territory. Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia expressed that the nation had to respond vigorously to what they saw as armed aggression. He assured the Cambodian public of their defense capabilities should the situation worsen. Staying on high alert, a spokesperson for the Royal Thai government emphasized their readiness to enhance self-defense measures amid ongoing threats to Thailand's sovereignty by Cambodia. The situation became increasingly dire as a child was reported among the injured, and authorities had to evacuate over 40,000 residents from 86 villages near the affected areas in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces. Reports showcased harrowing scenes of families fleeing amidst the chaos, with armed forces unable to stabilize the unfolding turmoil. Notably, a woman, taking refuge in a makeshift bunker, noted how the rounds fired were countless, reflecting the severity of the conflict. This alarming series of events followed weeks of rising tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, originating from a previous conflict that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier in late May. The aftermath of this incident saw diplomatic strains, where both nations withdrew their ambassadors and expelled respective diplomats, sealing border crossings and putting the Second Army's command in charge of the situation. With the Thai embassy cautioning against travel to Cambodia, people are left unsettled about the future of relations between these Southeast Asian nations, which have seen episodes of conflict in the past, particularly after a court reaffirmed Cambodia's territorial claims in 2013, leading to increased hostility from Thailand.