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Surin, Thailand – On the morning of July 24th, 2025, a tense armed confrontation unfolded near the historic Ta Muen Temple in Phanom Dong Rak district in Surin province, along the Thai-Cambodian border, according to the Royal Thai Army. The clash, which involved gunfire exchange between Thai and Cambodian forces, has heightened tensions in a […]

Thai-Cambodian Border Clash Erupts Near Ta Muen Temple
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Now fighting in 5 locations, with injuries to civilians being reported.

 

Sad to see it's gotten to this point.

Cambodia opens fire at Thai military base

Cambodian soldiers opened fire at a Thai military base in the northeastern province of Surin and launched rockets toward Si Sa Ket on Thursday morning as hostilities in the disputed border area worsened, according to the Royal Thai Army.

By late morning, clashes were reported at six locations along the contested frontier, according to the army.

The air force has also deployed an F-16 fighter jet for action along the border if needed, one of six being readied, the 2nd Army Region said.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said preparations were under way to evacuate civilians if needed as a precautionary measure in border areas of four provinces.

The latest incident began when Thai soldiers heard a Cambodian unmanned aerial vehicle circling in front of the Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin at 7.35am, the army said.

Six Cambodian soldiers then approached a barbed-wire fence in front of the Thai military base, armed with weapons including rocket-propelled grenades.

Thai soldiers at the base shouted to urge their Cambodian counterparts to avoid escalating the conflict.

At 8.20am Cambodia opened fire toward the Moo Pa military base, about 200 metres east of the Ta Muen Thom ruins, the 2nd Army Region said on its Facebook page.

The Cambodian forces set up artillery in nearby communities in a manner that used civilians as human shields, the Thai army alleged. Artillery fire was then directed at the temple ruins at 8.50am, it said.

At about 9.15am, Cambodian troops reportedly initiated gunfire, targeting the area near the Moo Pa base. One Thai soldier was injured as gunfire continued, with both small arms and heavy weaponry being deployed.

At 9.40am, Cambodia fired BM-21 rocket launchers at the Don Tuan temple ruins in Si Sa Ket province, Thailand said.

At 9.55am, Cambodian forces reportedly fired into a residential area near the border area development centre in Kap Choeng district of Surin. At least three civilians were reported injured. Authorities began evacuating civilians from the area as a precaution.

The attacks came a day after a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg, near the Chong An Ma border crossing in Ubon Ratchathani province.

The Thai army said the mines were recently planted by Cambodia.

Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Region Army, which is responsible for the Northeast, ordered the border sealed and the temple ruins in Surin closed. The orders took effect on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, the Thai government expelled the Cambodian ambassador, Hun Saroeun, while recalling the Thai envoy from Phnom Penh.

Bangkok has briefed foreign military attachés and diplomats stationed in the neighbouring country and is seeking action under the United Nations’ (UN) Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, while also engaging in bilateral efforts to resolve the dispute.

Though Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of border tensions, relations have remained largely stable since the 2011 conflict, which left dozens dead.

After the clash in May, Cambodia called for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to help resolve four disputed land areas. Thailand, however, said it does not recognise the court’s jurisdiction in the matter.

[Breaking] The Second Army Region reports that BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side have hit a PTT gas station in Ban Phue, Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, leaving many students and civilians injured.

Edited July 24, 20251 yr by Leo_Bia

According to the Second Army Region, Thai F-16 jets have launched an attack on Cambodia’s 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions.

Situation Update on the Armed Conflict Between Thailand and Cambodia

- Two BM-21 rockets struck a residential area in Kap Choeng District, Surin, injuring at least three civilians. One unconfirmed fatality has been reported.

- A PTT gas station in Ban Phue, Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket, was hit by BM-21 rockets, leaving several civilians injured.

- Cambodian artillery struck Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, which had already been evacuated.

- At least seven Thai soldiers have been injured in clashes now spreading across six locations: Ta Muen Thom, Ta Kwai, and Chong Chom (Surin); Chong Bok and Chong An Ma (Ubon Ratchathani); and near Preah Vihear Temple (Si Sa Ket).

- Six F-16 fighter jets have been deployed to Chong An Ma, targeting Cambodia’s 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions firing into Thai territory. The Royal Thai Air Force has denied rumors that an F-16 has been shot down.

- The governors of Surin, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani have begun evacuating residents along the border to designated safe zones.

- The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh urges Thai nationals in Cambodia to leave the country as soon as it is safely possible and advises against non-essential travel until the situation improves.
 

Tourism of Cambodia reporting that they have shot down a F16.

1 minute ago, Leo_Bia said:

Situation Update on the Armed Conflict Between Thailand and Cambodia

- Two BM-21 rockets struck a residential area in Kap Choeng District, Surin, injuring at least three civilians. One unconfirmed fatality has been reported.

- A PTT gas station in Ban Phue, Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket, was hit by BM-21 rockets, leaving several civilians injured.

- Cambodian artillery struck Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, which had already been evacuated.

- At least seven Thai soldiers have been injured in clashes now spreading across six locations: Ta Muen Thom, Ta Kwai, and Chong Chom (Surin); Chong Bok and Chong An Ma (Ubon Ratchathani); and near Preah Vihear Temple (Si Sa Ket).

- Six F-16 fighter jets have been deployed to Chong An Ma, targeting Cambodia’s 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions firing into Thai territory. The Royal Thai Air Force has denied rumors that an F-16 has been shot down.

- The governors of Surin, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani have begun evacuating residents along the border to designated safe zones.

- The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh urges Thai nationals in Cambodia to leave the country as soon as it is safely possible and advises against non-essential travel until the situation improves.
 

You have to wonder what kind of military targets civilian areas and structures.

Anyone who can, please donate blood. Myself and the wife were at Queen Sirikit to the blood bank, and it was rammed with military personnel donating. But they need more of us with type O blood, as it is more rare in the Thai population. I was the only "farang" there, and the nurse thanked me for coming in and asked if I can put the word out. 

 

🚫 Travel Advisory: Thai-Cambodian Border Areas

📅 Updated 24 July 2025

Due to rising tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has issued a no-go list of areas across seven provinces to ensure your safety and help with travel planning.

🔴 Avoid travel to the following areas until further notice:

✅ Ubon Ratchathani
• Phu Chong-Na Yoi National Park
• Kaeng Lamduan
• Chong An Ma Checkpoint
📞 TAT Ubon: 0 4524 3770
🔗 facebook.com/tatubon

✅ Sisaket
• Khao Phra Wihan National Park (Pha Mo I Daeng)
• Chong Sa-ngam
• Border areas in Kantharalak & Phu Sing
📞 TAT Surin: 0 4451 4447
🔗 facebook.com/tatsurin

✅ Surin
• Prasat Ta Muen Group
• Prasat Ta Kwai / Ban Pluang / Phum Pon
• Chong Chom & Phanom Swai Forest Park
📞 TAT Surin: 0 4451 4447
🔗 facebook.com/tatsurin

✅ Buriram
• Chong Sai Taku
• Ta Phraya National Park
📞 TAT Buriram: 0 4463 4722
🔗 facebook.com/TATBuriram8

✅ Sa Kaeo
• Ban Khlong Luek Checkpoint & Rong Kluea Market
• Prasat Sdok Kok Thom
📞 TAT Nakhon Nayok: 0 3731 2282
🔗 facebook.com/tatnayokfans

✅ Chanthaburi
• Ban Laem & Ban Phat Kad checkpoints
📞 TAT Chanthaburi: 0 3948 0220
🔗 facebook.com/TATChanthaburi

✅ Trat
• Ban Hat Lek, Ban Muen Dan, and Ban Ma Muang Checkpoints
📞 TAT Trat: 0 3959 7259
🔗 facebook.com/tattrat5

✳️ Please stay informed and share this post with anyone planning to visit the region.

📲 For more information:
Call 📞 1672
🌐 tourismthailand.org | 1672travelbuddy.com

Oh no. If Thailand and Cambodia can’t keep the peace then we have no hope worldwide. Seen lots of Thai girls post on IG about this.

I love Cambodia just as much as Thailand. Really love Cambodian women too. This is not good. 

Please try to keep to factual information and avoid overt political comment or discussion of any politicians.

Thanks.

Nathan Ruser's posts on X (link) that are the source for this article.

Australian Satellite Analyst Indicates Cambodia Largely Responsible for Escalating Thai-Cambodian Border Conflict

Nathan Ruser, a satellite data analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), known for his conflict-zone analyzes in places such as Ukraine and Myanmar, posted a message on X along with a heat map highlighting key data on the ongoing fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border.

He detailed developments in the escalation of tensions prior to the July 24 clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. 

According to his analysis, most signs of military buildup and rising tensions appear to have originated from the Cambodian side. Cambodian military forces had reinforced various positions well before the May 28 incident and rapidly deployed strategic reinforcements immediately afterward.

Ruser's examination of escalation data found:

33 escalatory events instigated by Cambodia
14 escalatory events instigated by Thailand
9 joint desescalatory events

He also highlighted several key movements in the timeline:

The construction and fortification of the Phomn Phrasitthi Outpost near Preah Vihear temple. This demonstrates that frontline and strategic fortification was taking place across the border before May 28 and not just Chong Bok. 
The rapid and intense deployment of elite and strategic units to the frontline the day after the May 28th clashes, including tanks, artillery and air defense. These suggest that Cambodian command was likely more prepared for an escalation in clashes and immediately respond. 
The temporary (90min) occupation of positions within Cambodia by a Thai company (more organized and larger than a patrol that had strayed) on June 19th, showing that escalation was coming from multiple sides. 
A larger Cambodian patrol “blocked” a Thai patrol on June 30th and continued their patrol in what Thailand asserted was its territory. 
The scale of large ammo transfers to the border from Cambodia in late June. It would be fascinating to know what preparation Thai troops were making at the time, but I don't know that. Perhaps it was equivalent. 
The characterization that the head of Hun Sen's personal royal guard unit was commanding troops at the frontline.

This was already clearly a Hun Sen led affair, pursued for his own (not obvious) reasons, this puts more weight behind that assertion.

Nathan Ruser and the ASPI team are highly regarded. They conclusively proved that Indian airstrike at Balakot completely missed the target and hit the wooded forest. The GPS height coordinate was wrong by 33 metes and it applied to all 3 hits.  The team called it a “precise miss”. 

 

The US Navy's Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group has just arrived at Laem Chabang. Not a surprise visit, it was already scheduled earlier but impeccable timing!

On 25/07/2025 at 06:50, davidge said:

Please try to keep to factual information and avoid overt political comment or discussion of any politicians.

Thanks.

It seems my polite request was ignored. More posts have been removed and, tbh, I’m not entirely sure about one or two others. We would like to keep one thread going on this but it isn’t looking good. It’s getting to the stage when our options will be sanctions or locking which really isn’t ideal for anyone.

On a side note, I saw that TPN had to turn off comments on some FB posts on this subject as there were too many replies from people seemingly ignorant of Thai law and the extremely sensitive nature of this which could have got TPN into serious trouble.

I am genuinely hoping that this time my request will be followed. FACTUAL INFORMATION on the current situation and it’s consequences but ABSOLUTELY NOT any political commentary or individual options of any kind whatsoever.

The latest update on civilian casualties from the Thailand–Cambodia border clashes was provided by Ministry of Public Health spokesperson Varoth Chotpitayasunondh at 9:00 AM. - 48 casualties in total - 13 fatalities (a decrease from 14 reported at 9 PM yesterday; the ministry did not explain the discrepancy), including 8 in Si Sa Ket, 4 in Surin, and 1 in Ubon Ratchathani - 10 seriously injured, 12 moderately injured, and 13 with minor injuries

 

Ko Chang now in the firing line.....

17 minutes ago, petermik said:

Ko Chang now in the firing line.....

Cambodia opens new battle front, attacking Thai military positions in Trat.

https://world.thaipbs.or.th/detail/cambodia-opens-new-battle-front-attacking-thai-military-positions-in-trat/58335

26 minutes ago, petermik said:

Ko Chang now in the firing line.....

I saw a news report this morning that said, that Cambodia had some longer range guns, that they had not used yet.

Which made me wonder, how much longer?

My missus just told me that Cambodia has fired into Laos. From my understanding it was a cannon or the likes. Not sure if accidental or not. The link

Stray munitions that landed in Laos were shot from Cambodian artilleries - Thai army

Edited July 26, 20251 yr by 2dave

Let’s hope a ceasefire comes through. 

The Second Army Region has warned the public of a potential threat from Cambodia’s PHL-03 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), which can strike targets up to 130 kilometers away. 

The PHL-03, a Chinese-made 300 mm system, is designed for saturation attacks on strategic and military targets using high-explosive or cluster munitions.

Thailand has activated its rear-area defense plan and deployed systems to counter possible rocket attacks. While the military is prepared, civilians near high-risk or strategic areas are urged to remain alert.

I have some acquaintances over in the new "war-zone" and have been sent some pictures that do not look good.  If there is something interesting about this it is a bit surprising to me that there does not seem to be much of a currency move as a result of this instability - the Thai baht is still more than one full baht/Cdn $ stronger than it was when I left there last December.  Guess I have not paid attn to the history of Thai instabilities, but would think this would weaken the baht?