Thailand Attacks on the Cambodia Border 24-July-2025

A tense standoff began on July 24, 2025. It occurred near the disputed Ta Muen Toch Temple and Ta Muen Thom Temple border zone. It escalated quickly. It became a widespread armed conflict. The conflict erupted between Thailand and Cambodia. The escalation marked one of the most serious military confrontations between the two neighbors in a month. It reignited a long‑standing territorial dispute rooted in colonial-era maps and a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling.

The international community is deeply concerned. Thailand’s attacks on Cambodia have intensified the crisis.​ The confrontation occurred when Thai soldiers fired six shots at Cambodian soldiers. In response, the Cambodian soldiers raised their weapons in self-defense. This underscores the ongoing tensions in Thailand and Cambodia attacks.

Overview of the Clashes on July 24, 2025

• At approximately 8:20 a.m. local time. Cambodian forces near Ta Muen Thom temple reported sightings of Thai drones and six armed. Thai soldiers are advancing toward Cambodia’s defensive positions. Shots were exchanged after what both sides described as a failed attempt to de-escalate verbally.
• Cambodia countered that Thai troops illegally entered their territory. This prompted a defensive response near the temple perimeter, exemplifying the Thailand attacks on the Cambodia territory.

🚀 Escalation and Weapons Used

• Around 9:40 a.m., Cambodia reportedly, Thai fired BM‑21 rocket and six F‑16 fighter jets launchers targeting areas near Prasat Ta Muen Thom. Thai bombing included Cambodian military and other places such as Long Keu Market and a village in Oddar Meanchey provinces. Cambodia forces responded with artillery to Thai, further escalating the Thailand attacks.

Diplomatic Fallout and International Response

• Both nations expelled each other’s ambassadors and downgraded diplomatic relations. Thailand sealed all land border crossings with Cambodia amid the ongoing Thailand attacks.
• Cambodia appealed for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. The meeting was formally scheduled for later on July 25 in New York.
• Countries such as the UK, Israel, Malaysia, and Japan urged restraint. Agencies like UNICEF called for peaceful negotiations. They warned of broader regional instability.

War Crime and Cluster Munition Use

• Cambodia’s Mine Action Authority accused Thailand of using cluster munitions, calling it a grave breach of humanitarian norms. Thailand has not responded directly to these allegations.​ These cluster munitions were used by Thailand once before. Specifically, during their invasion and seizure of the Preah Vihear temple from the Khmer in 2008.

• Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war unless hostilities ceased immediately. He insisted negotiations could not begin until fighting stopped. Thailand initiated this dispute.
• They wanted Khmer temples (Ta Moan Toch Temple, Ta Moan Thom Temple, and Ta Krabei Temple). They also wanted the Temple of Preah Vihear. Thailand already lost a Khmer case once. It was decided by an international court, similar to the situation with the Temple of Preah Vihear.

The clash on July 24, 2025 is the worst outbreak of violence along the Thai-Cambodian border in over a decade. A territorial dispute, ongoing since 2008, sparked it. Thailand has already invaded and looted the Preah Vihear temple, which belongs to Cambodia. More recently, Thailand has begun looting other temples along the Cambodian-Thai border. This shows how Thailand attacks have escalated tensions. This is a brazen Thai aggression.

With civilian casualties and mass evacuations underway, both sides are blaming each other for the outbreak of hostilities. The situation remains highly volatile. As the international community weighs in, urgent diplomatic efforts are needed to stop further escalation. A UN Security Council meeting is set for July 25 to pave the way for lasting peace in the region.