The fight between the Thais and Cambodians, along the Thailand–Cambodia border has reached its second day, leaving 16 people dead, including 14 Thai civilians, and forcing over 150,000 people on both sides to flee their homes, officials confirmed Friday.
The violence began in the early hours of Thursday, July 24, and continued into Friday, July 25, following rising tensions over disputed territory near several ancient religious sites.
The contested areas lie along an 800-kilometer boundary largely mapped by France during its colonial rule in Cambodia.
According to the Thai Army, clashes broke out at 4:30 a.m. local time on Friday after Cambodian forces opened fire using small arms and heavy weapons. Thailand responded with artillery shelling, followed by airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets and armed drone attacks on what were described as Cambodian military targets.
The conflict follows a landmine explosion on Wednesday, July 23, which injured five Thai soldiers in the Kantharalak district of Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province. In May 2025, a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief firefight in another contested area, adding to the strain.
The Thai Ministry of Public Health reported 15 deaths as of Friday morning, including 14 civilians, with dozens more wounded. Meanwhile, authorities in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province confirmed one civilian death and five injuries.
“We are still recovering bodies and clearing unexploded bombs in Kantharalak,” said Col. Richa Sooksuwanon, deputy spokesperson for the Thai army.
The Ministry of Interior in Thailand stated that more than 100,000 people from Surin, Si Saket, Ubon Ratchathani, and Buri Ram provinces have been evacuated to emergency shelters. In Cambodia, local officials in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey estimate that at least 24,000 people have left their homes.
Video footage reviewed on Friday showed families sleeping in gymnasiums and school buildings in Surin, with limited access to basic supplies.
One Thai evacuee, Ngerntra Pranoram, told Reuters, “Nobody wants this to happen. I feel for the elderly and the disabled. It’s very difficult for them to get here. Some people have cars, which is good, but for those who don’t, it’s really hard.”
In Cambodia, video clips shared by local reporters showed villagers fleeing in pickup trucks at night, covering themselves with tarps in makeshift camps.
Cambodian officials have accused the Thai military of using cluster munitions in two locations. These weapons are internationally controversial due to their wide area impact and delayed explosions. The Thai military has not responded to this allegation publicly.
In contrast, Thailand’s army claims that Cambodian rocket and artillery fire hit civilian areas, calling it “barbaric.”
The Thai military also released drone footage showing bombs dropped in forested areas, which it said were used as Cambodian military camps. The authenticity of these videos has not yet been independently verified.
The land dispute dates back decades and is rooted in historical resentment over border demarcation. “Thais believe France took their land and gave it to Cambodia, while Cambodians view the territory as their ancient heritage,” said Prof. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
Thailand’s political situation has further complicated matters. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended earlier this month following the leak of a phone call with Cambodian former Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which she appeared to criticize her own military. Her deputy, Phumtham Wechayachai, is now serving as acting Prime Minister.
On Friday morning, Phumtham said: “The situation is serious and could develop into war if not contained. But for now, it remains limited to localized clashes.”
Thailand’s armed forces significantly outnumber and outgun Cambodia’s. With 361,000 active-duty personnel, Thailand has long received defense support from the United States, which considers it a major non-NATO ally. Cambodia, by contrast, has a smaller and less equipped military.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, current chair of the regional bloc ASEAN, said Friday that he had spoken with leaders of both countries and urged an immediate ceasefire and direct negotiations.
“We cannot afford to let this conflict escalate further. Dialogue must prevail,” Anwar stated from Kuala Lumpur.
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting in New York later today to discuss the crisis and explore possible diplomatic intervention.
