On July 24, 2025, the long‑simmering border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand exploded into a major military engagement. Cambodia launched artillery and missile strikes deep into Thai border regions, triggering an intense response—Thailand scrambled its F‑16 fighter jets for airstrikes on Cambodian military sites. This marks the most severe cross‑border violence since 2011.
What Happened Today?
- Cambodia executed BM‑21 rocket and artillery salvos across multiple Thai provinces, including Surin and Sisaket. A missile hit near a Thai petrol station and a local hospital, killing at least 11 civilians—among them an 8‑year‑old child—and injuring dozens
The Cambodia–Thailand conflict refers to a series of military and political disputes between the two Southeast Asian nations, primarily centered around territorial claims, especially near the Preah Vihear Temple area. Here’s a detailed overview:
⚔️ Cambodia–Thailand War/Conflict: Key Facts
🔹 1. Historical Context
- The roots of the conflict go back centuries, during times when the Khmer Empire and Siam (modern-day Thailand) clashed over territory.
- The Preah Vihear Temple, a 9th-century Hindu temple built by the Khmer Empire, lies near the modern Cambodia–Thailand border.
🔹 2. Preah Vihear Temple Dispute
- In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but Thailand has continued to dispute the surrounding land (4.6 sq km).
- Tensions remained relatively low for decades but reignited in the 2000s.
🔹 3. 2008–2011 Military Clashes
- In 2008, after UNESCO listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site for Cambodia, Thai nationalists and military became agitated.
- From 2008 to 2011, several armed clashes occurred along the border, including:
- October 2008: Casualties on both sides.
- April 2009: Artillery duels near the temple.
- February & April 2011: Heaviest fighting with deaths, injuries, and thousands displaced.
🔹 4. International Involvement
- ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the UN called for calm.
- In 2011, Cambodia petitioned the ICJ again for clarification.
- In 2013, the ICJ ruled that Cambodia has sovereignty over the entire promontory of the Preah Vihear Temple — a partial win for Cambodia.
🕊️ Current Status (as of 2024–25)
- Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have normalized significantly.
- Joint border patrols, increased trade, and tourism between the two countries reflect cooperation over confrontation.
- The temple remains under Cambodian control, though tensions can still flare due to nationalism or politics.
🗺️ Why It Matters
- The conflict highlights how historical disputes, colonial-era maps, and cultural heritage can fuel modern military tensions.
- It’s also an example of how international law (ICJ) and diplomacy (ASEAN) can help resolve regional disputes.
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