Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia exploded into violence on Thursday as Thai fighter jets carried out air strikes on Cambodian military positions, following deadly rocket and artillery fire from across the border that killed a Thai civilian and injured three others.
The flare-up marks a dramatic escalation in the long-standing dispute over the Emerald Triangle — a strategic and historically sensitive region where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge, and where several ancient temples lie at the heart of competing claims.
According to the Thai military, six F-16 jets were deployed from Ubon Ratchathani province and struck two Cambodian targets after Cambodian forces launched artillery shells and BM-21 rockets into Thailand’s Surin province. One rocket struck a home, killing a civilian and injuring a woman and her five-year-old child.
The Cambodian defence ministry accused Thailand of violating its sovereignty, claiming its troops acted purely in self-defence. “The Thai military violated the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia... Cambodian forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defence,” said defence spokesperson Maly Socheata.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, condemning Thailand’s actions as “unprovoked military aggression.”
Thailand, however, blamed Cambodia for initiating hostilities. Government spokespersons denounced Cambodia’s actions as “inhumane and war-hungry,” and shut down all border crossings while evacuating nearby communities. The military claimed the clash began when a Cambodian drone flew over Ta Muen temple, followed by a group of armed Cambodian soldiers approaching a Thai post.
The confrontation escalated around 8:20 a.m. local time, when Cambodian forces reportedly opened fire near the temple area, prompting the Thai military to respond forcefully. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said, “The situation requires careful handling... We will do our best to protect our sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, both countries are engaging in diplomatic tit-for-tat. Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador and recalled its own, citing evidence that Cambodia had recently laid landmines in the disputed zone — an allegation Phnom Penh strongly denies.
In response, Cambodia downgraded diplomatic ties, withdrawing all but one diplomat from Bangkok and expelling their Thai counterparts.
The violent turn comes amid a broader political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended over an ethics probe. A leaked phone call between her and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen has further inflamed tensions, drawing judicial scrutiny.
To cap off the week’s upheaval, Cambodia announced plans to activate a long-dormant military draft law in 2026, signaling possible further militarization.
With China and other regional players urging caution, the standoff threatens to spiral unless swift diplomatic intervention takes hold.
