Thailand–Cambodia border clashes erupted early Thursday, July 24, 2025, and raged through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday marking the deadliest confrontation between the two neighbors in over a decade. Each side blames the other for initiating hostilities.
But on Monday, July 28, 2025, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Armed fighting began at 7:35 a.m. local time (00:35 GMT) on Thursday when Thai forces detected a Cambodian surveillance drone near the ancient Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province—just 200 meters from a Thai military post. Shortly after, six Cambodian soldiers armed with rocket launchers advanced toward the position, prompting the Thai military to declare the drone deployment and troop movements an act of “provocation.”
F‑16 Airstrikes: A Dramatic Escalation
Thailand responded swiftly, deploying six F-16 fighter jets, according to Deputy Army Spokesperson Colonel Richa Suksuwanon. The airstrikes reportedly destroyed two Cambodian military targets—the headquarters of the 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions.
Cambodian defense officials denied firing first, insisting their actions were in self-defense after a Thai “armed assault” on their positions. Spokeswoman Maly Socheata accused Thailand of violating Cambodia’s territorial integrity and said Cambodian troops “exercised their right to defend their sovereignty” after Thai jets dropped two bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province.
Following the aerial strikes on Thursday, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for Thailand’s Defence Ministry, on Thursday confirmed that at least six border sectors near the disputed Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear temple complexes came under fire, with artillery, rockets, and BM‑21 systems, fire exchanged.
On Friday, a Thai military source announced that fighting had expanded to twelve locations along the contested frontier (six more than the previous day), reflecting a widening conflict zone. Rear Admiral Kongsiri added that Cambodia continued employing heavy weapons in ongoing engagements.
Rising Civilian Toll and Mass Evacuations
While providing updates, Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, spokesperson of Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, confirmed the death toll has risen to 21—14 civilians and seven soldiers—and that 45 people have been wounded (30 civilians and 15 soldiers. Among the civilian fatalities was an eight‑year‑old child. Three of the new deaths occurred in Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.
Many victims were villagers seeking shelter at petrol stations (one in Sisaket province) or in rural homes struck by stray Cambodian shells and shrapnel. Meanwhile, the Cambodian military also reported shelling from Thailand before dawn on Friday.
Hospitals have also come under fire, prompting Thai authorities to evacuate 100,672 people from the provinces of Sisaket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Buriram. On the Cambodian side, approximately 30,000 people have been displaced. The Cambodian government reports 14 fatalities—six civilians and eight soldiers—and confirms 71 injuries.
All checkpoints between the two countries—including Chong An Ma, Chong Sa-ngam, Chong Chom, and Chong Sai Takoo—have been shut down to prevent further casualties. The Ta Moan Thom and Ta Kwai temples also remain closed.
Riders Alert: Motorcycle Access Severely Restricted
The Thailand’s Royal Thai Army has now closed parts of northeastern Thailand, particularly adventurous roads and tourist sites near the border. Many scenic routes popular with motorcyclists are now off-limits, especially those near temple ruins such as Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Ta Kwai, and Khao Phra Wihan National Park.
Additionally, as of late June, Thailand has banned Cambodian-registered motorcycles from entering at all checkpoints, including Ban Khlong Luek, Ban Khao Din, Ban Ta Phraya, Ban Nong Prue, and the Thai-Cambodia Friendship Bridge. Strict enforcement is now in effect at all entry points, and Cambodian-registered motorcycles are barred until further notice.
For adventure riders considering travel in the region: motorcycle insurance (Thai third-party) and the Foreign Vehicle Permit (FVP) are mandatory to ride legally in Thailand. Foreign vehicles without proper documentation will be denied entry, even if traveling from Cambodia.
Diplomatic Fallout and Rising International Concern
Both countries have downgraded diplomatic ties: Thailand withdrew its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s envoy. On Friday, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, So‑rawong Thienthong, said authorities may consider banning Cambodian athletes from the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), which Thailand will host in December—a move reminiscent of Cambodia’s withdrawal from the inaugural 1959 SEA Games amid an earlier border dispute.
In turn, Cambodia announced it would recall all its diplomats from Bangkok and expel Thai envoys. Prime Minister Hun Manet appealed to the UN Security Council for an emergency session, which took place on Friday—though the details of the discussions remain unknown—denouncing Thai actions as “unprovoked military aggression” and calling for immediate intervention.
The UN and ASEAN countries—including Malaysia (the current chair), China, and Japan—have called for restraint and dialogue. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned of the risks to regional stability and urged “urgent dialogue and maximum restraint.”
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in discussions with ASEAN Secretary‑General Kao Kim Hourn, described the clashes as “deeply distressing and concerning” and affirmed that China stands ready to maintain a just, impartial role in helping to resolve the crisis.
The U.S. State Department has also urged both sides to protect civilians and negotiate peacefully, and has advised U.S. citizens to avoid traveling within 50 km (30 miles) of the Thailand–Cambodia border, citing “the military conflict in the region” as the basis for its advisory.
Historical Roots and 2025 Triggers of the Thailand–Cambodia Border Clashes
The immediate escalation followed a landmine explosion on July 23, 2025 that injured five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg—a blast Thailand attributes to Cambodian forces. Cambodia, however, disputes this, citing legacy mines from past conflicts, and condemned Thailand’s subsequent air raids as “acts of aggression,” maintaining that its troops acted only in self-defense.
Although there have been periodic skirmishes along the 818-kilometer (508-mile) border, this marks the first time the Royal Thai Air Force has deployed F‑16 jets against Cambodian positions, representing a major turning point in the ongoing border dispute.
The dispute dates back to ambiguous French‑era maps and overlapping claims to historic temple sites, most notably Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has inflamed nationalist sentiment on both sides. In 2011, clashes near Preah Vihear killed an estimated 15–20 people and displaced thousands.
Today, Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts says Thai strikes have inflicted “substantial damage” on the temple, and Pena Bona, head of the Cambodian government’s spokesperson unit, accuses Thailand of deploying heavy weapons and bombing civilian areas.
Cambodia first brought the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 and returned in 2011 with a request specifically concerning the temple. In 2013, the ICJ ruled in Cambodia’s favor over the immediate temple precinct but left other contested areas, particularly within the so-called “Emerald Triangle” bordering Laos, unsettled.
Thailand has contested or refused to fully implement key ICJ decisions regarding the disputed zones, and tensions have periodically resurged.
Key incidents this year included:
- February 13: Cambodian soldiers escorted 25 civilians to Prasat Ta Moan Thon Temple, where they reportedly sang Cambodia’s national anthem. Thailand viewed this as a breach of tourist‑protocol agreements.
- February 17: Thailand’s Ministry of National Defence issued a formal warning, reiterating that while Cambodians could visit the temple, public displays of Cambodia’s anthem “raise concerns” in Thai territory.
- May 28: Clashes in the Emerald Triangle left one Cambodian soldier dead, with each side blaming the other.
- June 12: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced plans to sever dependence on Thai electricity and internet services. Cambodia also halted Thai media broadcasts and banned imports of fuel, fruit, and vegetables.
- June 14: High-level talks in Phnom Penh yielded no cease-fire agreement; both nations instead reinforced border security.
- June 15: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spoke with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, criticizing military actions—remarks that deepened rifts with Thailand’s army.
- June 26: Thailand ordered internet and broadband providers to cut service to Cambodia.
- July 1: Shinawatra was suspended after her private call with Hun Sen was publicly leaked, prompting pro-military demonstrations demanding her resignation.
- July 16: A landmine in Chong Bok (Nam Zuen district) cost another Thai soldier his leg.
- July 23: A second blast near Chong An Ma checkpoint disabled five more soldiers; Thailand recalled its ambassador and closed border crossings (Chong An Ma, Chong Sa-ngam, Chong Chom, Chong Sai Takoo) as well as the Ta Moan Thom and Ta Kwai temples.
- July 24: Heavy exchanges of artillery and air strikes erupted; Cambodia, in turn, recalled its diplomatic staff from Bangkok.
- July 25: Border clashes escalated into a second day, widening to 12 locations (double the six recorded the previous day. The Thai baht fell by at least 0.3 percent to 32.29 per U.S. dollar, following a surge of over 6 percent driven by optimism over trade negotiations, renewed foreign stock inflows, and near-record-high gold prices.
- July 26: Thailand launched Operation Trat Phikhat Phairi 1 after a reported Cambodian offensive in Ban Chamrak; artillery shells also landed in Laos, with both sides trading blame. Cambodia calls for an “immediate” ceasefire with Thailand.
- July 28: Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” after five days of fighting at their 818-kilometer (508-mile) border killed at least 36 people and displaced tens of thousands.
Regional Risks and Riding Recommendations
Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) advises avoiding travel near border zones in Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, and Surin, cautioning riders to avoid temples, national parks, and lookout points along the frontier—areas popular with adventure motorcyclists.
Main tourist hubs like Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Pattaya remain functional, though travel disruptions may arise due to border closures and political instability.
For Motorcycle Riders: Key Advisory Highlights
- Avoid border roads and temple routes where clashes are ongoing or security closures are in effect.
- Cambodian-registered motorcycles will be refused entry at major checkpoints until further notice.
- Carry valid Thai third-party insurance and a Foreign Vehicle Permit (FVP); undocumented vehicles are not allowed.
- Stay updated with TAT advisories before planning routes in eastern and northeastern provinces.
- Stick to central Thailand and major tourist cities if riding during this period—border areas are high-risk and subject to sudden closures.
Ongoing Crisis and Prognosis
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that negotiations will not proceed until a full ceasefire is observed. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has since instructed his foreign ministry to file complaints with the UN and ASEAN. Meanwhile, military buildups and continued shelling have raised fears of a wider conflict that could further destabilize Southeast Asia.
International observers warn the situation remains fluid and potentially explosive. With diplomatic bridges burning fast, all eyes now turn to global mediation efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict.
As of now, travel is strongly discouraged near border zones, especially for motorcyclists. But urban and coastal routes remain accessible, allowing riders to continue exploring Thailand safely, albeit with heightened vigilance and respect for ongoing restrictions.
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