Tensions rose along the Thai-Cambodian border on Thursday morning as Cambodian troops opened fire on a Thai military base in Surin province and launched rockets toward Si Sa Ket, the Royal Thai Army reported. The incident marks a serious intensification of the long-standing border dispute between the two countries.
Clashes quickly spread to six locations along the disputed frontier, prompting Thai authorities to prepare military reinforcements and emergency measures. The Royal Thai Air Force confirmed that six F-16 fighter jets were on standby, with one already deployed near the conflict zone.
The Interior Ministry also announced that evacuation plans were in place for civilians in border districts across four provinces, should the situation deteriorate further.
According to an army statement, the latest escalation began at 7:35am when Thai soldiers spotted a Cambodian unmanned aerial vehicle circling above the Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak district.
Soon after, six armed Cambodian soldiers carrying rocket-propelled grenades approached the barbed-wire fence near the Thai base. Thai troops attempted to de-escalate the situation by issuing verbal warnings.
However, by 8:20am, Cambodian forces opened fire on the Moo Pa military base, located roughly 200 metres from the temple ruins.
The 2nd Army Region reported that Cambodian troops had established artillery positions within nearby civilian areas, allegedly using residents as human shields, before targeting the temple ruins at 8:50am.
Gunfire continued around 9:15am, with both small arms and heavy weapons deployed near the Moo Pa base. One Thai soldier was injured during the exchange.
At 9:40am, Cambodia fired BM-21 rocket launchers at the Don Tuan temple ruins in Si Sa Ket province.
Minutes later, at 9:55am, Cambodian forces reportedly targeted a residential area near a border development centre in Surin’s Kap Choeng district, injuring at least three civilians. Thai authorities responded by initiating evacuations in the area.
The day’s violence followed a landmine explosion on Wednesday near the Chong An Ma border crossing in Ubon Ratchathani province, which injured five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg. The Thai army claims the mines were recently planted by Cambodian forces.
In response to the rising tensions, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Region Army, ordered the closure of the Ta Muen Thom temple site and sealed off border crossings in affected areas.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thai forces of launching attacks on Cambodian military positions near the Preah Vihear and Ta Krabei temples in Oddar Meanchey province.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Hun Manet said, “Cambodia always maintains a stance of wanting to resolve issues peacefully, but, in this case, we have no choice but to respond with armed force against this armed invasion.”
Diplomatic relations between the two countries took a hit on Wednesday, when Thailand expelled Cambodian Ambassador Hun Saroeun and recalled its envoy from Phnom Penh.
Bangkok has since briefed foreign diplomats and military attachés stationed in Cambodia and is seeking action under the United Nations’ Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Bilateral negotiations are also underway in hopes of de-escalating the conflict.
While Thailand and Cambodia share a long history of border disputes, relations had largely stabilised since the 2011 clashes that left dozens dead.
In May, Cambodia sought intervention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve four contested border areas. Thailand, however, rejected the move, asserting that it does not recognise the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the matter.
