Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash LIVE Updates: Heavy fighting erupts on Cambodia-Thailand border; Hun Manet appeals to UN

July 25, 2025, 01:00:02 (IST)

July 25, 2025, 00:14:32 (IST)

The United States on Thursday called for an “immediate” end to the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and urged that civilians be protected.

“The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told journalists.

July 24, 2025, 23:57:03 (IST)

Hun Sen, the current Senate President and former prime minister of Cambodia, harshly criticised former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on social media tonight, accusing him of encouraging war and aiding Thailand’s military invasion of Cambodia.

In a forceful Facebook post, Hun Sen reacted to a statement Thaksin had earlier made that the Cambodian leader characterised as “warlike” and intended to “teach a lesson” to him directly. In light of the growing border skirmishes, he claimed the comments were not just unfriendly but also indicative of Thailand’s larger intentions towards Cambodia.

July 24, 2025, 23:35:45 (IST)

In the most brutal military confrontation with Thailand in recent history, Cambodian forces seized control of important disputed locations along the border, even as Thailand used heavy weapons, such as aerial bombing, and disinformation tactics.

Prime Minister Hun Manet formally requested intervention from the UN Security Council and demanded justice, while Cambodia’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and National Defence denounced the Thai aggression.

July 24, 2025, 22:53:50 (IST)

The EU on Thursday called on Cambodia and Thailand to “de-escalate” clashes over a disputed border zone after the bloodiest fighting in over a decade between the neighbours.

“The EU is deeply concerned by rising tensions at the border with reports of civilian casualties. We call on both sides to de-escalate and resolve disputes through dialogue and other peaceful means in line with international law,” said EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni.

July 24, 2025, 22:36:11 (IST)

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on Thailand and Cambodia to “stand down” Thursday following deadly border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand on Thursday and the Thai military scrambled F-16 jets to carry out air strikes in a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two countries.

“The least we can expect is for them to stand down and hopefully try to enter into negotiation,” said Anwar, whose country currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which includes Cambodia and Thailand.

The neighbours are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, and which is home to several ancient temples.

July 24, 2025, 21:53:28 (IST)

Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has condemned Cambodia for initiating violence along the Thai border and declared her full support for all government, military and diplomatic retaliation measures within international legal frameworks, Bangkok Post reported.

ดิฉันขอประณามกัมพูชา ต่อการใช้ความรุนแรงที่เกิดขึ้นบริเวณชายแดนไทย ตามข้อเท็จจริง ทางฝ่ายกัมพูชาเริ่มใช้อาวุธก่อน และมีการยิงในวิถีไกลเข้าสู่เขตแดนไทย ถือว่าเป็นการละเมิดหลักปฏิบัติสากลตามกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศ โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งหลักสิทธิมนุษชนและจริยธรรมอันดีอย่างชัดเจน…

— Ing Shin (@ingshin) July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025, 21:30:30 (IST)

Thai Public Health Minister has conveyed his anger and sorrow over what he called an “inhumane attack” launched by Cambodian forces on Phanom Dong Rak Hospital and on civilian areas in several other provinces along the border.

Somsak Thepsutin said the act is not only a threat to national sovereignty but also a grave violation of human values in a statement.

July 24, 2025, 20:43:47 (IST)

The root of the territorial tension lies in the colonial-era demarcation of the 800-kilometre border, originally mapped during French rule over Indochina. Thailand has long challenged the legitimacy of parts of that boundary, especially near ancient temples like Preah Vihear. Sporadic clashes in the region, notably from 2008 to 2011, have previously led to dozens of deaths and large-scale displacement.

The latest round of violence intensified after a series of landmine explosions injured Thai soldiers. Diplomatic ties were downgraded, and Thai airstrikes on Cambodian military positions triggered retaliatory artillery fire, killing civilians and escalating the crisis into full-scale combat. Peace talks have stalled, and border crossings remain restricted.

International legal rulings have done little to ease tensions. Although the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty of the Preah Vihear temple and surrounding land to Cambodia, Thailand does not accept its rulings. Cambodia has now approached the UN Security Council for intervention, while other nations, including China and the US, have called for restraint and dialogue.

Domestic politics in both countries are fuelling the crisis. In Cambodia, nationalist sentiment is running high amid perceptions of Thai aggression. In Thailand, internal divisions between the civilian government and the powerful military have weakened coordination, especially after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended following a leaked call with Hun Sen.

Each side blames the other for starting the conflict. Thailand has accused Cambodia of targeting civilians in a brutal and inhumane manner, while Cambodia maintains it only struck military sites and accuses Thailand of unprovoked aggression. With tensions still high, the possibility of further escalation remains.

July 24, 2025, 19:58:02 (IST)

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated into armed confrontations following a series of diplomatic, military, and civil clashes that began in late May. The situation deteriorated rapidly in July, culminating on Wednesday (July 24) when Cambodian clashes with Thai soldiers at the Ta Muen Thom temple in a border region claimed by both countries. The attack followed weeks of increasing hostility, including a landmine incident that severely injured a Thai soldier, prompting Thailand to recall its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expel Cambodia’s envoy.

The roots of the conflict stretch back to a leaked phone call on June 18, in which Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was heard speaking informally with Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen, sparking nationalist backlash in both countries.

Tensions quickly escalated, with each side engaging in tit-for-tat measures: Thailand suspended border crossings and cut electricity to parts of Cambodia, while Cambodia responded by halting fuel imports and reducing internet bandwidth. By late June, border control was handed over to the Thai military, and an ad hoc command centre was established to manage the crisis.

July saw increasing violence and confrontations at sensitive border locations, particularly around the Ta Muen Thom temple. A series of landmine explosions injured Thai soldiers, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of planting new Russian-made PMN-2 mines, an allegation Cambodia denied.

Clashes between troops, physical altercations, and temporary temple closures further strained relations. Diplomatic channels have narrowed, and the border remains heavily militarised, raising fears of prolonged conflict.

July 24, 2025, 19:16:36 (IST)

July 24, 2025, 18:51:03 (IST)

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday accused Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen of ordering the cross-border attacks that killed Thai civilians. He added that this act gave Thailand legitimate grounds for military retaliation.

In a post on X, Thaksin wrote, “Today, Hun Sen ordered firing into Thai territory early in the morning, initiating the attack after setting up explosive traps along the border, which is considered a violation of international law and the ethics of good neighborly coexistence, resulting in two Thai soldiers being injured with severed legs and several civilians also injured.

Thailand has exercised patience and restraint, fully adhering to international law and fulfilling its duties as a good neighbor.

From now on, Thai soldiers can respond according to strategic plans, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can rightfully implement various measures.”

The attacks left two Thai soldiers with severe leg injuries requiring amputations, along with civilian casualties.

July 24, 2025, 18:33:47 (IST)

Despite the continuing border clashes between Cambodian and Thai militaries, commercial flights between the neighbouring countries have remained unaffected, the Phnom Penh Post cited the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) as saying.

Speaking to The Post earlier today, July 24, SSCA spokesperson Sin Chansereyvutha stated that although fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops broke out at several locations in the morning, commercial flights between the two countries were continuing as usual. There had been no reports of flight cancellations.

“As of this afternoon, the situation regarding passenger transport on the Phnom Penh–Bangkok and Siem Reap–Bangkok routes remains unchanged,” he said.

July 24, 2025, 18:14:42 (IST)

Thailand and Cambodia engaged in their most intense military confrontation in more than ten years on Thursday, leaving at least 12 people dead and 35 injured. The fighting, which erupted near the disputed Emerald Triangle border zone, involved tanks, ground troops, and Thai F-16 air strikes in response to Cambodian rocket and artillery fire.

Most casualties occurred in Thailand’s Sisaket province, where rockets struck a petrol station, killing students sheltering in a convenience store. Cambodia has not disclosed its losses but claims it acted in self-defence against Thai aggression. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilians and closed border crossings, advising its nationals to leave Cambodia.

Tensions escalated after Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador over a landmine incident, prompting Phnom Penh to downgrade diplomatic ties. The violence also fuelled political instability in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under suspension. Regional leaders, including Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, have called for dialogue.

July 24, 2025, 18:14:40 (IST)

Thailand and Cambodia engaged in their most intense military confrontation in more than ten years on Thursday, leaving at least 12 people dead and 35 injured. The fighting, which erupted near the disputed Emerald Triangle border zone, involved tanks, ground troops, and Thai F-16 air strikes in response to Cambodian rocket and artillery fire.

Most casualties occurred in Thailand’s Sisaket province, where rockets struck a petrol station, killing students sheltering in a convenience store. Cambodia has not disclosed its losses but claims it acted in self-defence against Thai aggression. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilians and closed border crossings, advising its nationals to leave Cambodia.

Tensions escalated after Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador over a landmine incident, prompting Phnom Penh to downgrade diplomatic ties. The violence also fuelled political instability in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under suspension. Regional leaders, including Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, have called for dialogue.

July 24, 2025, 17:42:14 (IST)

Gen Nattaphon Nakpanich, the Deputy Defence Minister of Thailand, on Thurday said that time for talks with Cambodia has well passed as the neighbouring nations’ armed forces clashed along several border areas.

The General said Cambodia had ignored all offers by Thailand for dialogue to lessen tensions over disputed border areas and the opening of border check-points, according to Thai PBS World.

“At this point, it’s no time for talks,” he said, recalling that Thailand has tried unsuccessfully to have bilateral talks with Cambodia for armed forces on both sides to redeploy away from the disputed border areas.

“We knew that as long as the troops were there, there was always a potential for clashes,” he said.

July 24, 2025, 17:31:57 (IST)

Cambodian Ministry of National Defence released a statement on the timeline of events leading to border clashes on Thursday.

Here’s the timeline as reported by Khmer Times:

6:30 AM – The Thai military initiates provocative actions, violating bilateral agreements by covertly installing barbed wire at the base of Ta Moan Thom Temple.

7:04 AM – Thai drones are observed hovering in Cambodian airspace for about two minutes.

8:30 AM – Thai forces fire warning shots into the sky.

8:46 AM – Thai troops open fire on Cambodian forces stationed at Ta Moan Thom Temple. The skirmishes escalate towards Ta Krabei Temple and the Phnom Kmoach area. The Thai military also broadens the conflict zone by launching attacks, including the use of fighter jets, towards the Mom Bei area in Preah Vihear province.

8:47 AM – Cambodian forces return fire in defence of national sovereignty in response to Thai military aggression.

Contrary to these claims, Thailand has claimed that the use of landmines that injured Thai soldiers was the trigger point.

July 24, 2025, 17:31:55 (IST)

Cambodian Ministry of National Defence released a statement on the timeline of events leading to border clashes on Thursday.

Here’s the timeline as reported by Khmer Times:

6:30 AM – The Thai military initiates provocative actions, violating bilateral agreements by covertly installing barbed wire at the base of Ta Moan Thom Temple.

7:04 AM – Thai drones are observed hovering in Cambodian airspace for about two minutes.

8:30 AM – Thai forces fire warning shots into the sky.

8:46 AM – Thai troops open fire on Cambodian forces stationed at Ta Moan Thom Temple. The skirmishes escalate towards Ta Krabei Temple and the Phnom Kmoach area. The Thai military also broadens the conflict zone by launching attacks, including the use of fighter jets, towards the Mom Bei area in Preah Vihear province.

8:47 AM – Cambodian forces return fire in defence of national sovereignty in response to Thai military aggression.

Contrary to these claims, Thailand has claimed that the use of landmines that injured Thai soldiers was the trigger point.

July 24, 2025, 17:07:57 (IST)

Thailand deployed six F-16 fighter jets to carry out air strikes on Cambodia on Thursday.

Col Ritcha Suksuwanon, a Royal Thai Army deputy spokesperson, told reporters that the warplanes were deployed late Thursday morning from Ubon Ratchathani province, hitting two “Cambodian military targets on the ground.”

“We have used air power against military targets as planned,” according to a report by Bangkok Post.

The Thai military also released images showing Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets conducting precision airstrikes on Cambodian military command posts.

The 2nd Army Region has released images showing Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets conducting precision airstrikes on Cambodian military command posts.

The operation targeted the 8th and 9th Support Infantry Division Headquarters, which were identified as key units… pic.twitter.com/PSO535anuv

— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025, 16:51:06 (IST)

July 24, 2025, 16:49:44 (IST)

July 24, 2025, 16:44:01 (IST)