Thailand Cambodia Border Skirmish Escalates to Air Strikes and Rockets in Emerald Triangle Killing 11

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged air strikes and artillery fire on July 24, 2025, escalating a decades-old border dispute over the historically contested Emerald Triangle region, where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos intersect. The clashes left at least 11 civilians dead, including students injured in a rocket attack near a petrol station in Thailand’s Sisaket province [1]. The Thai military reported scrambling six F-16 jets to strike Cambodian military targets after Cambodian forces opened fire near the border, while Cambodia accused Thailand of unprovoked aggression and invoked its right to self-defense under international law [1].

The conflict erupted around 7:35 am local time when Cambodian forces allegedly fired rockets and artillery into Thai territory following a border skirmish near ancient temples in Surin and Oddar Meanchey provinces. Thai officials claimed Cambodian soldiers approached a Thai outpost with rocket-propelled grenade launchers, prompting retaliation [1]. Both sides exchanged accusations: Thailand labeled Cambodia “inhumane and war-hungry,” while Cambodia criticized Thailand for “incursions” and sought an urgent UN Security Council meeting to address the violence [1].

The escalation followed a diplomatic breakdown after Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador and recalled its envoy earlier in the day, following a landmine attack that injured Thai military personnel. Cambodia retaliated by downgrading diplomatic ties, retaining only one diplomat in Phnom Penh and expelling Thai envoys [1]. The dispute has also triggered domestic political tensions in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces suspension amid an ethics probe, and a leaked diplomatic conversation between her and Cambodia’s ex-leader Hun Sen further strained relations [1].

Regional actors, including ASEAN chair Malaysia and China—Cambodia’s close ally—urged de-escalation. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for dialogue, while China warned against violence and advised its citizens to avoid the Thailand-Cambodia border [1]. Thailand’s embassy in Phnom Penh issued a travel advisory for its nationals to evacuate Cambodia, reflecting growing regional instability.

The Emerald Triangle, a strategically and culturally significant area, has been a flashpoint for over 15 years, with sporadic clashes and unresolved border tensions. The latest violence underscores the fragility of regional diplomacy and the risks of miscalculation in Southeast Asia. Analysts highlight the potential for broader spillover effects, particularly as ASEAN’s role in mediating the crisis remains untested amid deepening bilateral hostilities [1].

Source: [1] [title: Thailand and Cambodia clash with jets and rockets in deadly border dispute over Emerald Triangle] [url: https://fortune.com/asia/2025/07/24/thailand-cambodia-clash-jets-rockets-deadly-border-dispute-emerald-triangle/]