BANGKOK — Thailand has escalated its border dispute with Cambodia by conducting airstrikes against Cambodian military positions, following deadly artillery and rocket exchanges that claimed civilian lives, Thai officials said.
According to the Royal Thai Army, one of six deployed F‑16 fighter jets bombed a military target in Cambodia near the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple area, as dozens of villages along the border were engulfed in clashes.
Thai authorities confirmed at least 11 civilians and one soldier were killed by Cambodian shelling, including victims struck near a petrol station, hospital, and homes across Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Thailand claims Cambodian forces used heavy artillery, BM‑21 rockets, and even a surveillance drone to attack Thai positions.
In a defensive response, Thailand closed all border checkpoints, evacuated approximately 40,000 residents, and executed the airstrike using an F‑16 to hit a Cambodian military location. Cambodia’s defence ministry strongly condemned the strikes as “reckless and brutal military aggression,” reporting that two bombs were dropped on a road.
Context to the Thailand-Cambodia Crisis
- Tensions have been rising since a Cambodian soldier was killed in May, with subsequent landmine explosions injuring Thai troops—a claim both sides dispute.
- Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended amid political fallout over her border-handling; acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai now leads.
- Diplomatic ties are frayed—Thailand recalled its ambassador and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, while Phnom Penh appealed to the UN Security Council.
Regional and Humanitarian Fallout
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Civilian impact | 12 Thai deaths; extensive evacuations & destruction of civilian infrastructure |
| Military escalation | Use of F‑16s, artillery, BM‑21 rockets, drones, and armoured units reported |
| Diplomatic strain | ASEAN, China, and Malaysia have urged restraint; Cambodia seeks UN intervention |
| Historical context | Reflects century-old border contest around the Preah Vihear/ Ta Muen Thom region |
Analysts warn this spiral of violence threatens not just local stability, but also ASEAN cohesion and regional development. The fragile peace hinges on rapid de-escalation.
