Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia heightened as Thai forces launched retaliatory strikes following alleged Cambodian aggression near disputed border areas. The July 28, 2025, ceasefire, brokered by Malaysian and U.S. officials, crumbled after Cambodian UAV activity near Thai-controlled Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple. Renewed hostilities included artillery exchanges, airstrikes by Thai F-16 jets, and heavy bombardment in Cambodia’s Prehir province. Political instability and historical disputes contribute to the situation’s complexity, raising concerns of potential escalation to a wider conflict. Discover further nuances of this unfolding situation.
Although a ceasefire was brokered by Malaysian and U.S. officials on July 28, 2025, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia rapidly escalated following initial peace efforts. The agreement came after a period of intense conflict marked by Cambodian UAVs observed near the Thai-controlled Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple on July 24, 2025. Cambodian troops reportedly approached Thai barbed wire lines, leading to accusations of aggression from both sides.
Ceasefire brokered, yet Thai-Cambodian tensions flare post-agreement after UAV sightings near Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple.
Cambodia allegedly fired upon Thai positions east of Ta Muen Thom, prompting a Thai artillery response after attempts to access Thai territory near Ta Kwai Temple. As hostilities intensified, Cambodia accused Thailand of initiating assaults and blocking access to Ta Muen Thom, claiming their actions were in self-defense against perceived Thai incursions. In retaliation, Cambodia launched BM-21 multiple rocket launchers towards a Thai residential area near Prasat Don Tuan.
Thailand responded with airstrikes, deploying six F-16 jets to destroy Cambodian command posts belonging to the 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions. Consequently, Thailand closed its border and advised its citizens to leave Cambodia. The conflict rapidly escalated with renewed fighting along the border, involving sophisticated military assets such as F-16 airstrikes and heavy weapon systems.
Thailand executed attacks at eight different locations, heavily bombarding the Chamak area in Cambodia’s Prehir province. The exchange of artillery shelling extended beyond the immediate border, with Cambodian attempts reported near Thailand’s southern coast. In response, the Thai military declared martial law in affected provinces, underscoring the severe escalation in hostilities. Historically, tensions between the two nations have persisted due to a territorial dispute stemming from the Franco-Siamese treaty of 1907, which has fueled nationalist sentiments and contributed to the current conflict.
Despite the ceasefire, skepticism persisted regarding its durability. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly leveraged trade deals to encourage the cessation of hostilities. However, nationalist rhetoric and military posturing persisted, with no significant withdrawal of forces or de-escalation beyond the ceasefire declaration. The situation remained tense, with dozens of fatalities and approximately 200,000 civilians displaced due to the fighting.
Political dynamics further complicated the situation. Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thai pro-military politicians of exacerbating the conflict, while Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned of the potential for full-scale war. The Thai military’s superior capabilities influenced strategic considerations, amid political instability following the recent removal of Thailand’s prime minister. The UN International Court of Justice awarded the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but Thailand has never accepted this ruling, which remains a point of contention in the ongoing conflict.
