CAMBODIA AND THAILAND CONFLICT

Tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border stem from unresolved demarcation issues tracing back to a 1907 French colonial map, which is now central to territorial claims around key heritage sites like Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom. Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Cambodia’s favor over Preah Vihear in 1962 and reaffirmed it in 2013, border ambiguities persist. Thailand rejects further ICJ adjudication, insisting on bilateral mechanisms via the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

Tensions have gradually intensified since late May 2025. On May 28, a Cambodian soldier was killed during a skirmish near Chang Bok, triggering retaliatory troop deployments. Thailand condemned Cambodia for an incursion; Cambodia accused Thailand of firing first.

The immediate escalation began on July 23, when Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine in the disputed zone.

Bangkok blamed Cambodia’s forces for planting the mine, Phnom Penh countered that the mine was a remnant of older conflicts, denying any new placement.

By July 24, hostilities expanded into multiple flashpoints, particularly around Ta Muen Thom and the “Emerald Triangle” region. Cambodian BM‑21 rocket artillery and Thai F‑16 airstrikes and artillery exchanges began. Clashes erupted across at least 12 border locations, involving machine guns, missiles, rockets, and airpower

Casualties and Displacement

• As of July 25, at least 15–16 people were killed in Thailand (mostly civilians) and 1 in Cambodia, with more than 130,000 displaced in Thailand and around 20,000 in Cambodia. 

  
  

• Cambodia confirmed death tolls of 13 (including 8 civilians); Thailand reported 20 fatalities (7 soldiers, 13 civilians), with more than 30 deaths overall.

• According to an updated conflict overview, about 38 deaths in total and 272,000+ displaced across both sides. 

Cambodia relied on rocket artillery; Thailand deployed F‑16 jets, artillery, drones. Cambodia accused Thailand of damaging UNESCO‑listed temple sites, including Preah Vihear, and using cluster munitions—allegations Bangkok initially denied. Eventually, Thailand's military spokesperson acknowledged limited use of cluster munitions under proportionality rules.

Human Rights Watch and others have raised alarms about civilian casualties and cultural heritage destruction. HRW called out the use of explosive weapons in populated areas as especially dangerous and urged both sides to respect international humanitarian law. 

Amid the rising conflict, a leak of a private phone call between Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen caused political turbulence in mid-June, leading to her suspension and resignation of coalition parties. The affair further weakened Thailand’s governing stability.

Thailand responded to the clashes by recalling its ambassador, expelling Cambodia’s envoy, and imposing severe visa and communications restrictions on crossing points and Cambodian nationals. Cambodia retaliated with fuel bans and cultural restrictions

Economic Warfare

• The crisis expanded into economic confrontation: Cambodia imposed fuel and gas import bans from Thailand; Thailand restricted internet and electricity access to Cambodia. Border checkpoints were closed, slamming bilateral trade valued at over 174 billion baht. Thai firms canceled events in Cambodia, stockpiled goods, and activated emergency plans. 

• Cambodia’s vulnerable economy, reliant on energy imports and tourism (9% GDP), is particularly hard-hit compared to Thailand’s 12% tourism sector but stronger buffers.

Regional & International Mediation

ASEAN, led by Malaysia as 2025 chair, called for restraint and helped broker dialogue; Thailand initially refused third-party mediation, insisting on bilateral JBC talks.

The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on July 25 after Cambodia formally appealed for intervention. China, Japan, South Korea, and others urged peaceful settlement. 

U.S. intervention, spearheaded by former President Donald Trump, proved decisive. Trump spoke with both leaders, linked ongoing U.S. trade negotiations to the conflict, and pressured both nations toward talks, warning that tariffs could rise to 36% if peace was not secured by August 1.

Kuala Lumpur Talks & Agreement

On July 28, Cambodian PM Hun Manet and Thai Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai met in Putrajaya, Malaysia, under the mediation of PM Anwar Ibrahim. Supported by diplomatic pressure from the U.S., they agreed on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire starting at midnight local time on July 29.

Thailand and Cambodia publicly expressed optimism about the agreement as a path toward restored trust and humanitarian relief. Still, Thai officials urged displaced civilians to delay return pending security assessments.

Thailand's military is significantly larger and more advanced (360,000 troops, defense budget over USD 5.5 billion, F‑16 jets) vs. Cambodia’s (124,000 troops, USD 1.3 billion budget, no combat aircraft). That imbalance discourages large-scale conventional war, pushing Cambodia toward calculated, asymmetric tactics like short artillery sorties and drone incursions. 

Control over Khmer-era Hindu temple complexes (e.g., Preah Vihear, Ta Muen Thom) is deeply symbolic. Competing narratives of colonial-era heritage fuel nationalism on both sides, ensuring that control over these sites transcends strategic logic.

Beyond kinetic conflict, both nations have reportedly engaged in cyber operations, including disinformation campaigns and online scam coordination efforts, raising broader concerns about hybrid conflict modalities within ASEAN.

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