2025 Cambodian–Thai border crisis
| 2025 Cambodian–Thai border crisis | |||||||||
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| Part of the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute and the aftermath of the Indochina wars | |||||||||
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| History of Cambodia |
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| Cambodia portal |
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The territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand escalated into a direct armed confrontation on 24 July 2025 along the Cambodia–Thailand border. Although both governments subsequently agreed to an unconditional ceasefire on 28 July 2025, hostilities later resumed in December, during which Thai forces seized several towns and strategic hills in contested areas near the frontier.
Tensions had sharply increased on 23 July, when a Thai soldier was seriously injured after stepping on a PMN-2 anti-personnel landmine in Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province. The incident served as the immediate trigger for wider hostilities. On the following day, direct armed clashes erupted across multiple sectors of the border. Thai media widely reported that Cambodia's BM-21 multiple rocket launchers struck Thai residential neighbourhoods, a hospital, and a gas station, which acted as the catalyst for the outbreak of full-scale fighting on 24 July 2025. Both sides asserted that their actions were taken in self-defence and accused the other of initiating the conflict. The clashes resulted in the displacement of more than 200,000 civilians across northeastern Thailand and northern Cambodia.
In response, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) deployed F-16 fighter aircraft to conduct airstrikes against Cambodian military installations along the border, marking the first time that the RTAF had engaged in combat operations since the Thai–Laotian Border War (1987-88). The escalation raised regional and international concern, prompting calls from ASEAN and the United Nations for restraint and mediation. The United States and Malaysia also expressed concern over the fighting and called on both parties to de-escalate tensions through diplomatic means. Although tensions gradually eased under external diplomatic pressure, the July 2025 airstrikes and ground engagements were regarded as among the most intense episodes in the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute since the Temple of Preah Vihear case, with significant implications for the stability and security of mainland Southeast Asia.
Fighting resumed on 7 December 2025, when Cambodian and Thai forces engaged in a brief 30-minute border skirmish. On the following day, Thailand conducted renewed ground operations and F-16 air missions against multiple positions inside Cambodia by deploying airstrikes against Cambodian soldiers. On 10 December, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) launched "Operation Sattawat", during which it seized a number of localities in northern Cambodia.
The fighting ended with another ceasefire on December 27th with a 72-hour monitoring period to ensure compliance. After the 72 hours, Thailand released 18 Cambodian Soldiers who had been captured in the July clashes as a sign of goodwill. The ceasefire is still in effect as of March 2026, though sporadic incidents and general mistrust still remain.