At least 12 people have been killed as military forces clash near a contested border site
Smoke rises from PTT gas station after Cambodian artillery struck a convenience store in Thailand’s Sisaket border province. © Getty Images / ROYAL THAI ARMY / HANDOUT
Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged strikes in a flare-up of violence over a disputed border area. At least a dozen people are reported to have been killed since clashes erupted on Thursday.
Troops from both sides exchanged fire near the Ta Muen Thom temple, a centuries-old Khmer Hindu site located in a contested area claimed by both nations. The dispute stems from colonial-era French maps that left parts of the border ill-defined.
Both countries have accused each other of opening fire first. The clash marks the deadliest escalation in the long-running territorial standoff in recent years.
The day before, Thailand closed its northeast border crossing with Cambodia, withdrew its ambassador, and expelled the Cambodian envoy to protest a landmine blast that wounded five Thai soldiers.
Cambodia has since said it will also be downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand to their lowest level, and will be expelling the Thai ambassador as well as recalling all Cambodian staff from its embassy in Bangkok.
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24 July 2025
14:19 GMT
Cambodia has accused the Thai military of damaging the Preah Vihear temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said the alleged targeting of the temple was a “cultural disaster and a moral tragedy” and that it “may constitute war crimes.” The ministry has demanded that all military activity near the temple be stopped.
Dear @UNESCO please save Preah Vihear Temple world heritage site 🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭#UNESCO#UNESCOCambodia#UnitedNations#SavePreahVihearTemple#SaveWorldHeritagepic.twitter.com/wg7FTXXBjN
— Kim Sereymotey (@KSereymotey) July 24, 2025
- 14:18 GMT
A Cambodian military commander has told local news outlet Fresh News that the country’s forces currently control the Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and the Mom Tei area. He noted that as of 7pm local time, the hostile situation along the border has calmed down but some areas are still experiencing sporadic fighting.
- 13:51 GMT
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has ordered people in areas affected by the fighting to evacuate immediately. Residents in three provinces, namely Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Si Sa Ket have been urged to seek safety and coordinate their evacuation through local officials such as village heads, district offices, and local administrative organizations.
The Cambodian Phnom Penh Post has reported that some 5,000 people have been evacuated from the border areas of Oddar Meanchey province following the clashes.
- 13:05 GMT
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has urged citizens to maintain their “morality and dignity” and avoid discriminating or taking any action against the Thai Embassy, Thai companies, or Thai citizens in Cambodia despite the ongoing fighting.
He has also urged Cambodians living, working, or studying in Thailand to return home if they face pressure or discrimination. - 12:32 GMT
Royal Thai Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suwaree has said Thailand’s “necessary” military response is focused only on neutralizing military targets, stressing that Bangkok has no intention to or motive for attacking Cambodia.
He called on both Thai and Cambodian governments to engage in diplomatic talks as soon as possible to find a peaceful solution to both the direct and indirect causes of the conflict.
- 12:21 GMT
Russia has said it is closely monitoring the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border and has advised its citizens in both countries to exercise caution and avoid visiting areas affected by the conflict.
- 12:04 GMT
Cambodian President Hun Sen has denied media reports that he has fled the country. He shared images on social media of himself in the war room, leading the military response to “Thai aggression.”
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen posted photos on social media on Thursday showing his war room, and him commanding the battle against Thailand, declaring he's not fleeing, and harshly criticizing Thai politicians and journalists, saying 'Don't Thai to me!'" #Thailand#Cambodiapic.twitter.com/rCSPHaWejH
— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) July 24, 2025
- 12:02 GMT
Thailand has released images of F-16 strikes on Cambodian military posts tied to Thursday’s cross-border shelling. Bangkok claims to have targeted the headquarters of Cambodia’s 8th and 9th Infantry Support Divisions.
The 2nd Army Region has released images showing Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets conducting precision airstrikes on Cambodian military command posts.The operation targeted the 8th and 9th Support Infantry Division Headquarters, which were identified as key units… pic.twitter.com/PSO535anuv
— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) July 24, 2025
- 11:58 GMT
Thailand’s Health Ministry says 12 people, including 11 civilians and one Thai soldier, have been killed in clashes with Cambodian troops. Another 31 people, including 24 civilians, are said to have been injured.
Cambodia has claimed that a Thai F-16 fighter jet dropped two bombs on a road but has not reported any casualties.
- 11:57 GMT
Thailand has called for the international condemnation of Cambodia’s actions. In a post on Facebook, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub accused Phnom Penh of being a “war-monger that disregards human rights by continuously using heavy weapons against civilian targets.”
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