Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has once again erupted along Thailand Thailand-Cambodia border dispute. The disputed border is leading to casualties, and both Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed along the border in a major escalation.
Both sides fired small arms, rockets, and Thailand launched airstrikes. In the escalation, at least 10 people have died, and most of them were civilians. The war took place on Thursday, July 14, 2025, in at least six areas.
According to the Thai Defence Ministry spokesperson, Surasant Kongsiri, a day following a landmine explosion along the border, five Thai soldiers were injured. This incident led Bangkok to withdraw its ambassador from Cambodia and to eject Cambodia’s envoy to Thailand.
Cambodia responded by downgrading diplomatic ties and expelling its embassy from Bangkok.
The epicentre of the present war is near the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, and the area is covered with dense forest along the Thai-Cambodian border.
As per the Thai Army, the latest war began at around 7:35 am when troops guarding the Ta Muen temple encountered a Cambodian drone in that area. After that, six-armed Cambodian soldiers approached a barbed wire battle fence near a Thai military post. According to the Thai army, the Cambodian soldiers initiated the firefight, which accelerated quickly.
The Thai soldiers further accused Cambodia, saying, “a targeted attack on the civilians”. The Thai forces claimed that two BM-21 rockets struck a local community, injuring three civilians, in Surin’s Kap Choeng district.
However, Cambodia blamed Thailand for starting the war. The Defence Military spokesperson said that the Thai military violated the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia by initiating an armed assault on Cambodian forces. The spokesperson further added that the Cambodian troops responded in self-defence.
The Thai official claimed that nine Thai civilians have been killed, and three others are injured, including a five-year-old boy. Thailand also reported that seven of its soldiers are wounded.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence claimed that Thai jets dropped bombs on Cambodian territory using heavy weaponry. One spokesperson reported that these activities violated international law, while adding that the Cambodian forces were prepared to defend their sovereignty at any cost.
Thailand has closed all its border checkpoints with Cambodia and advises its citizens to evacuate Cambodia as soon as possible. The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh issued a warning and urged its nationals to leave unless necessary.
The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute has triggered political instability in Thailand. The Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was suspended from office earlier this month due to an ethics probe related to her handling of the crisis.
The last major battle about the border dispute issue took place in 2011, leaving 20 dead.