As it happened: At least 12 killed in deadly Thailand–Cambodia border clashes
More than 40,000 people have been evacuated from the disputed border area.
Royal Thai Army soldiers on an armoured vehicle (left) on a road in Chachoengsao province; Cambodian soldiers reload the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher (right) in Preah Vihear province, on Jul 24, 2025. (Photos: AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha, STR)
BANGKOK: Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on Thursday (Jul 24) as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery in a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbours.
Both militaries accused each other of firing the first shots after weeks of simmering tensions.
In a letter to the United Nations Security Council, Cambodian PM Hun Manet requested an urgent meeting of the council and accused Thai troops of launching “unprovoked, premeditated and deliberate attacks” along the border areas of the two countries.
However, Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that the country acted in “self-defence to defend its sovereignty” and that operations would continue until the situation at the border had “normalised”.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose country currently chairs ASEAN, called the clashes "concerning" and said he had scheduled calls with both leaders on Thursday evening, with peace being the "only option available".
"They are very close to Malaysia and I've given messages to both PMs. I'm looking forward to speaking to both of them this evening."
Here's a recap of how tensions boiled over.
