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Time of India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Thailand-Cambodia clash intensifies: Heavy weapons, field artillery used, over 1,00,000 flee; 10 latest developments
Fighter jets, landmines and diplomatic expulsions have pushed Thailand and Cambodia to their deadliest border conflict in more than a decade. Both countries have mobilised ground troops and heavy weaponry, with deadly consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire. The Thai military has accused Cambodian forces of sustained bombardment using heavy weapons, field artillery and rocket systems, saying it responded with "appropriate supportive fire" and advised civilians to evacuate conflict zones. The escalation, centred on disputed zones along the 800-kilometre frontier, erupted into violence on Thursday after weeks of rising tension. At least 14 people have been killed, 13 civilians and one Thai soldier and more than 100,000 displaced as tanks, artillery, and rocket systems were deployed. Thai F-16s were scrambled for airstrikes, while Cambodian forces launched heavy bombardments, including a deadly rocket attack on a petrol station in Sisaket province. Here are the 10 latest developments: US Embassy issues statement The United States has voiced deep concern over the escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border, particularly the growing toll on civilians. In a statement issued by the US Embassy in Bangkok, Washington expressed condolences for the lives lost and urged both sides to bring an immediate end to hostilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The US also called on Thailand and Cambodia to prioritise the protection of civilians and resolve their dispute through peaceful dialogue. 'We are particularly alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians,' the statement read, adding that diplomatic channels must be pursued to prevent further bloodshed. Civilian toll rises after deadly rocket strike One of the deadliest incidents was a Cambodian rocket attack on a petrol station in Sisaket province. Footage showed flames and smoke billowing from the site as emergency services responded. The Thai health ministry confirmed 11 civilians and one soldier were killed, while 35 were wounded. Most victims were students inside the attached convenience store. A witness, Praphas Intaracheun, said, 'There was a gigantic cloud of smoke… I don't even dare sleep. ' Hospitals near the border, including one in Surin province, were partially evacuated after being struck by artillery shells. Thai officials condemned the attacks as targeted strikes on civilian infrastructure. Mass displacement on both sides of the border More than 100,000 Thais have fled from four border provinces and been relocated to nearly 300 temporary shelters, according to Thailand's interior ministry. In Cambodia, villagers near the border with Thailand packed belongings and fled, fearing night-time escalations. In Samraong town, 20km from the frontier, distant artillery fire continued Friday morning. 'We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6:00 am,' said Pro Bak, a Cambodian father fleeing with his family. Thai authorities have sealed all land crossings and urged nationals to leave Cambodia. Both nations remain on high alert. Cambodia invokes combat readiness, warns of retaliation Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a rare and forceful warning, declaring Cambodia was 'fully prepared for combat' and would retaliate against any Thai aggression. 'Do not boast of your superior military power or think of invading Cambodia,' he said. The Cambodian military has reportedly mobilised units near the border, and the government activated emergency contingency planning. Meanwhile, the Thai army implemented the Chakrabongse Bhuvanath Plan — last used during the 2011 Preah Vihear Temple conflict — as part of heightened readiness measures. UN Security Council to hold emergency session At the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to address the crisis. Phnom Penh has also filed a new complaint with the International Court of Justice over four disputed areas. Although the ICJ ruled in favour of Cambodia's sovereignty over Preah Vihear temple and surrounding land in 2013, Thailand continues to reject its jurisdiction. Diplomats from China, France, the US, and EU have all issued statements urging both sides to de-escalate and return to dialogue. Border clash turns deadly near ancient temples The first clash erupted Thursday near the Ta Muen Thom temple, along the Thai-Cambodian border. Thai forces claim they spotted six armed Cambodian soldiers approaching and attempted to de-escalate. According to Bangkok, Cambodian troops opened fire first, prompting retaliatory strikes. In response, Thailand deployed six air force jets to strike Cambodian military positions. Cambodia countered, accusing Thailand of unprovoked aggression, claiming Thai drones violated its airspace first. Fighting quickly spread to five other locations, with ground troops, tanks, and heavy artillery engaging from both sides. Civilians on both sides fled to bunkers as the shelling intensified. The Cambodian Defence Ministry maintains its actions were limited to self-defence. Landmine explosion triggers diplomatic breakdown Tensions spiked on Wednesday when five Thai soldiers were wounded in a landmine explosion. Thailand claims the mines were newly planted on a path both countries had agreed was cleared, alleging they were Russian-made and likely planted by Cambodian forces — a violation of the Ottawa Convention. Cambodia rejected the accusations as baseless, pointing to leftover unexploded ordnance from previous conflicts. Nonetheless, Thailand expelled Cambodia's ambassador and recalled its own envoy. In retaliation, Phnom Penh downgraded diplomatic ties, recalled its diplomats, and expelled Thai officials. Thai political turmoil deepens amid military pressure The conflict has exposed growing instability within Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended amid an ethics probe. She allegedly undermined the military in a leaked call with Hun Sen while attempting to calm tensions in May. The Thai army, which holds considerable sway over national security, has since tightened its control over border policy. Analysts suggest the conflict is being driven in part by friction between the Shinawatra political family and Thailand's powerful military establishment. Cambodia and Thailand accuse each other of war crimes Rhetoric has grown harsher. Thailand accused Cambodia of "inhumane, brutal and war-hungry" tactics, citing the rocket strike on the petrol station and the shelling of a hospital. Cambodia, meanwhile, described Thailand's airstrikes as 'unprovoked military aggression' and maintained it only targeted military facilities. Cambodia's Foreign Ministry argued Thailand's drone incursions and use of jets marked an escalation into acts of war. Both sides continue to deny responsibility for starting the conflict, each portraying itself as the victim of aggression. Colonial-era borders at heart of conflict The border dispute traces back to colonial-era agreements made during French rule in Indochina. Much of the current border was drawn between 1863 and the 1950s, with contentious zones remaining ill-defined. In 1962 and again in 2013, the ICJ ruled in Cambodia's favour over the Preah Vihear temple and adjacent land. Still, Thailand disputes these rulings. Sporadic violence erupted between 2008 and 2011, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 people and displacing thousands — a pattern eerily repeating today. Global calls for ceasefire and protection of civilians The United States, China, France, and the European Union have all called for an immediate end to the fighting. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok issued a strongly worded statement urging both nations to protect civilians and pursue peaceful resolutions. 'We are gravely concerned… and alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians,' it said. China and the EU echoed the call for restraint, while France emphasised the need to uphold international law. Still, with both sides refusing to back down, a diplomatic resolution remains uncertain.
Jordan Times
25-07-2025
- Jordan Times
Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets and rockets in deadly border row
Phanom Dong Rak, Thailand — Thailand and Cambodia fought their bloodiest military clashes in more than a decade on Thursday, with at least 12 people killed as the two sides battled with tanks, artillery and ground forces over a disputed border zone. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running spat between the two neighbours -- both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists -- over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet. The decades-old squabble flared into bloody clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight. In Thursday's clashes, Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambled F-16 jets to carry out air strikes. The Thai public health ministry said one soldier and at least 11 civilians were killed, most of them in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province. Footage from the scene showed smoke pouring from a convenience store attached to the petrol station. Provincial officials said most of the dead were students inside the shop when the attack happened. "I heard a loud noise three or four times, and when I looked over, there was a gigantic cloud of smoke," Praphas Intaracheun, a 53-year-old gardener from Sisaket, told AFP. He was refuelling at another petrol station around 300 metres (984 feet) from the one that was hit. "I'm scared it might escalate during the night when you can't see anything. I don't even dare sleep," he said. Thailand said 35 people have been wounded, and accused Cambodia of targeting civilian buildings. A 30-bed hospital in the town of Phanom Dong Rak in Surin province, just 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the border, was hit by shells which shattered windows and collapsed part of a roof. The facility, which was also struck in the last major clashes between the two countries in 2011, was partially evacuated on Wednesday night as a precaution. "We got a tip that there would be an attack from Cambodia," a soldier stationed at the entrance told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "There is no telling when it will be safe enough for patients to return." 'My house was shaking' Fighting was focused on six locations, the Thai army said, with ground troops and tanks battling Cambodian forces for control of territory. Six Thai air force jets were deployed, hitting two "Cambodian military targets on the ground", according to Thai military deputy spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon. Cambodia has not yet commented on casualties on its side. Defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata refused to answer when asked about the issue at a news conference. AFP journalists met Cambodians fleeing their villages near the Thai border to escape the fighting. "We dare not to stay, they were fighting so bad that my house was shaking," Say Vuthy, 36, told AFP. "We already dug a bunker but we dared not stay because we were scared that they will keep fighting at night." Both sides blame the other for starting the fighting, which erupted near two temples on the border. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address what his foreign ministry labelled "unprovoked military aggression". Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia "as soon as possible". Both the European Union and China, a close ally of Phnom Penh, said they were "deeply concerned" about the clashes, calling for dialogue -- while Cambodia's former colonial ruler France also called for an immediate halt to fighting and for talks to begin. Long-running row The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine. Cambodia downgraded ties to "the lowest level" on Thursday, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh. The border row also kicked off a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct. A diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Hun Manet, was leaked from the Cambodian side, sparking a judicial investigation.
The Sun
25-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Thailand and Cambodia clash in deadly border dispute with jets and rockets
PHANOM DONG RAK: Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery and airstrikes in their deadliest border clashes in over a decade, leaving at least 12 dead and dozens wounded. The fighting erupted near the disputed Emerald Triangle, where both nations and Laos share a border. Cambodia fired rockets into Thailand, striking a petrol station in Sisaket province, killing mostly students inside a nearby convenience store. 'I heard a loud noise three or four times, and when I looked over, there was a gigantic cloud of smoke,' said Praphas Intaracheun, a local gardener. Thailand retaliated with F-16 jets, hitting two Cambodian military targets. A hospital in Phanom Dong Rak, just 15 kilometres from the border, was also shelled, forcing partial evacuations. 'We got a tip that there would be an attack from Cambodia,' said an anonymous soldier stationed at the hospital. Cambodian villagers fled as fighting intensified. 'We dare not stay, they were fighting so bad that my house was shaking,' said Say Vuthy, a 36-year-old evacuee. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting following a request from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Thailand has urged its citizens in Cambodia to leave immediately. The clashes follow Thailand's expulsion of Cambodia's ambassador after five Thai soldiers were wounded by a landmine. Cambodia downgraded diplomatic ties, recalling most of its diplomats. The conflict has also triggered political turmoil in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces suspension over a leaked diplomatic call with Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen.
New Straits Times
24-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets and rockets in deadly border row
PHANOM DONG RAK, Thailand: Thailand and Cambodia fought their bloodiest military clashes in more than a decade on Thursday, with at least 12 people killed as the two sides battled with tanks, artillery and ground forces over a disputed border zone. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running spat between the neighbours – both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists – over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet. The decades-old squabble flared into bloody clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May, when a Cambodian fighter was killed in a firefight. In Thursday's clashes, Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambled F-16 jets to carry out air strikes. The Thai public health ministry said one soldier and at least 11 civilians were killed, most of them in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province. Footage from the scene showed smoke pouring from a convenience store attached to the petrol station. Provincial officials said most of the dead were students who were inside the shop when the attack happened. "I heard a loud noise three or four times, and when I looked over, there was a gigantic cloud of smoke," Praphas Intaracheun, a 53-year-old gardener from Sisaket, told AFP. He was refuelling at another petrol station around 300 metres (328 yards) from the one that was hit. "I'm scared it might escalate during the night when you can't see anything. I don't even dare sleep," he said. Thailand said 35 people have been wounded and accused Cambodia of targeting civilian buildings. A 30-bed hospital in the town of Phanom Dong Rak in Surin province, just 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the border, was hit by shells which shattered windows and collapsed part of a roof. The facility, which was also struck in the last major clashes between the two countries in 2011, was partially evacuated on Wednesday night as a precaution. "We got a tip that there would be an attack from Cambodia," a soldier stationed at the entrance told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "There is no telling when it will be safe enough for patients to return." Fighting was focused on six locations, the Thai army said, with ground troops and tanks battling Cambodian forces for control of territory. Six Thai air force jets were deployed, hitting two "Cambodian military targets on the ground", according to Thai military deputy spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon. Cambodia has not yet commented on casualties on its side. Defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata refused to answer when asked about the issue at a news conference. AFP journalists met Cambodians fleeing their villages near the Thai border to escape the fighting. "We dare not to stay, they were fighting so bad that my house was shaking," Say Vuthy, 36, told AFP. "We already dug a bunker but we dared not stay because we were scared that they will keep fighting at night." Both sides blame the other for starting the fighting, which erupted near two temples on the border. At the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the deadly clashes, diplomatic sources told AFP. Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia "as soon as possible." Both the European Union and China, a close ally of Phnom Penh, said they were "deeply concerned" about the clashes, calling for dialogue. The US and France – Cambodia's former colonial ruler – also called separately for an immediate halt to fighting and for talks to begin. The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine. Cambodia downgraded ties to "the lowest level" on Thursday, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh. The border row also kicked off a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct. A diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Hun Manet, was leaked from the Cambodian side, sparking a judicial investigation.
Arab News
24-07-2025
- Arab News
Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets and rockets in deadly border row
PHANOM DONG RAK, Thailand: Thailand and Cambodia fought their bloodiest military clashes in more than a decade on Thursday, with at least 12 people killed as the two sides battled with tanks, artillery and ground forces over a disputed border zone. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running spat between the neighbors — both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists — over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet. The decades-old squabble flared into bloody clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight. In Thursday's clashes, Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambled F-16 jets to carry out air strikes. The Thai public health ministry said one soldier and at least 11 civilians were killed, most of them in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province. Footage from the scene showed smoke pouring from a convenience store attached to the petrol station. Provincial officials said most of the dead were students who were inside the shop when the attack happened. 'I heard a loud noise three or four times, and when I looked over, there was a gigantic cloud of smoke,' Praphas Intaracheun, a 53-year-old gardener from Sisaket, told AFP. He was refueling at another petrol station around 300 meters (328 yards) from the one that was hit. 'I'm scared it might escalate during the night when you can't see anything. I don't even dare sleep,' he said. Thailand said 35 people have been wounded, and accused Cambodia of targeting civilian buildings. A 30-bed hospital in the town of Phanom Dong Rak in Surin province, just 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the border, was hit by shells which shattered windows and collapsed part of a roof. The facility, which was also struck in the last major clashes between the two countries in 2011, was partially evacuated on Wednesday night as a precaution. 'We got a tip that there would be an attack from Cambodia,' a soldier stationed at the entrance told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. 'There is no telling when it will be safe enough for patients to return.' Fighting was focused on six locations, the Thai army said, with ground troops and tanks battling Cambodian forces for control of territory. Six Thai air force jets were deployed, hitting two 'Cambodian military targets on the ground,' according to Thai military deputy spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon. Cambodia has not yet commented on casualties on its side. Defense ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata refused to answer when asked about the issue at a news conference. AFP journalists met Cambodians fleeing their villages near the Thai border to escape the fighting. 'We dare not to stay, they were fighting so bad that my house was shaking,' Say Vuthy, 36, told AFP. 'We already dug a bunker but we dared not stay because we were scared that they will keep fighting at night.' Both sides blame the other for starting the fighting, which erupted near two temples on the border. At the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the deadly clashes, diplomatic sources told AFP. Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia 'as soon as possible.' Both the European Union and China, a close ally of Phnom Penh, said they were 'deeply concerned' about the clashes, calling for dialogue. The United States and France — Cambodia's former colonial ruler — also called separately for an immediate halt to fighting and for talks to begin. The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a land mine. Cambodia downgraded ties to 'the lowest level' on Thursday, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh. The border row also kicked off a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct. A diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Hun Manet, was leaked from the Cambodian side, sparking a judicial investigation. burs-pdw/sco/des/aks
