Thai army says Cambodia opened fire to force talks

Thai army says Cambodia opened fire to force talks

July 02, 2025

The ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated further, with the Thai army accusing Cambodia of initiating the clash to force diplomatic talks. According to the Thai military, Cambodian troops opened fire with heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, in an unprovoked attack near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple along the eastern border [3].

The incident occurred after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, following a series of landmine incidents [3]. The Thai military reported that two soldiers were wounded in the initial exchange of fire, while Cambodia's influential former premier Hun Sen claimed that two Cambodian provinces were shelled by the Thai military [3].

The conflict has led to significant casualties, with at least 12 Thai nationals killed, including one soldier and 11 civilians [4]. Thailand has sealed its entire border with Cambodia and dispatched F-16 fighter jets to bomb Cambodian targets, while Cambodia has deployed its own forces with heavy weapons [4].

The Thai government has called for deescalation and urged both countries to avoid further confrontation. The suspended Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra condemned Cambodia's actions and emphasized the importance of peaceful means to resolve the conflict [4].

The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817 km border has a history of skirmishes and deaths. The current conflict is part of a long-standing diplomatic crisis that has been exacerbated by recent landmine incidents and the killing of a Cambodian soldier [3].

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-do-cambodia-thailands-militaries-compare-2025-07-24/
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/7/24/live-at-least-2-killed-as-thai-cambodian-troops-clash-at-disputed-border
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/two-soldiers-wounded-thai-cambodia-militaries-clash-disputed-border-2025-07-24/
[4] https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/thailand-cambodia-border-conflict-clash-map-military-travel-news-b2795085.html