Thai fighter jets bomb Cambodian positions near disputed border area on July 24, 2025.
garissatu — Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared again after Thailand launched a series of airstrikes on Cambodian military targets early Thursday morning. The attacks followed an intense skirmish at the disputed border area between the two nations, which left several Thai soldiers wounded and prompted what officials in Bangkok called a “measured retaliatory response.”
The Thai Ministry of Defense confirmed that F-16 fighter jets were deployed to neutralize what it described as “offensive forward bases” being established by Cambodian forces inside contested territory. “This is not an act of war, but a legitimate action to secure our sovereignty,” said Thai Defense Minister Gen. Narongchai Thongpaibul during a press briefing.
Meanwhile, Cambodian authorities have condemned the airstrikes, labeling them an act of aggression and a violation of international law. Prime Minister Hun Vireak called on ASEAN and the United Nations to intervene, warning that continued Thai military actions would provoke a “regional security crisis.”
Eyewitnesses in the Preah Vihear region reported hearing loud explosions and seeing columns of smoke rising from military outposts. Cambodian ambulances and emergency vehicles were later seen rushing toward the area, though no official casualty figures have been released from Phnom Penh.
Military analysts say this sudden escalation could severely destabilize Southeast Asia, especially as both countries have overlapping territorial claims and a long history of border disputes. Some fear that additional flashpoints might ignite as nationalist sentiments rise in both capitals.
The United States and China have urged restraint. “We urge both governments to de-escalate and return to the negotiating table,” said a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department. China echoed similar sentiments, though it reaffirmed its economic and military ties with Cambodia, calling for a peaceful settlement through ASEAN mechanisms.
The Thai-Cambodian border has been a source of friction for decades, most notably around the ancient Preah Vihear Temple area. Although the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of Cambodia in 2013, military stand-offs and minor clashes have continued sporadically.
This latest development comes amid broader geopolitical tensions in the region, including Chinese militarization in the South China Sea and increasing U.S. naval presence. Some observers see the Thai airstrikes as part of a larger regional power struggle, with Thailand aligning more closely with Western military protocols.
In the meantime, ASEAN is expected to convene an emergency session to address the crisis. “We cannot allow two member states to engage in open conflict,” said ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Joo Hoon. “Stability in Southeast Asia must be preserved at all costs.”
As of Thursday evening, sporadic gunfire continued to be reported along the Thai-Cambodian border, and residents in nearby villages were being evacuated by Thai military personnel as a precaution.
For updates on this and related stories, see also: China prepares to send JF-17 and J-10C to support Cambodia against U.S. forces