Report Cambodia Targets Thai District with Long-Range Artillery

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

In a chilling development, the Thai Army announced Cambodia is aiming long-range artillery at Thailand's Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket. Army spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree revealed that Cambodia's artillery can strike within Thai borders, prompting necessary adjustments in Thai troop deployment to counteract the threat.

 

The situation has sparked diplomatic concerns, especially after Fair Party MP Kannavee Suebsueng highlighted that Cambodia submitted a document to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), referencing the ongoing border dispute, exactly 63 years after the ICJ allotted the Phra Vihear temple to Cambodia.

 

In his Facebook commentary, Kannavee criticised the Thai government's strategy, claiming Cambodia is diplomatically outpacing Thailand and forcing it into a defensive position.

 

Kannavee accused Cambodia of meticulously planning the timing to coincide with the Joint Border Cooperation (JBC) meeting, indicating Cambodia's superior diplomatic strategy.

 

He urged the Thai government to formulate a robust approach to counter Cambodia's moves instead of continually dismissing the ICJ's jurisdiction, which the Thai government historically refuses to accept, despite the presence of the ICJ’s Asia and Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok.

 

While UN Member States automatically fall under ICJ statutes, meaning any can present a case to the court, jurisdiction acceptance remains a separate hurdle. The conundrum deepens for Thailand as Cambodia seems to seize the initiative on international diplomacy fronts, compelling Thai leadership to reassess its current stance on border disputes.

 

The standoff underscores long-standing regional tensions and highlights the necessity for Thailand to bolster its domestic defence strategy while navigating the complexities of international diplomacy and legal jurisdiction. As the situation unfolds, both nations appear locked in a political game that could define the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia.

 

Diplomatic observers await further developments as Thailand and Cambodia continue to navigate this tense period. While the Thai military fortifies its defence, the Thai government faces mounting pressure to adjust its diplomatic approach in addressing the border disputes with more effectiveness and foresight.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-06-16

 

 

[hotchilli]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

In a chilling development, the Thai Army announced Cambodia is aiming long-range artillery at Thailand's Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket. Army spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree revealed that Cambodia's artillery can strike within Thai borders, prompting necessary adjustments in Thai troop deployment to counteract the threat.

Ridiculous

[BMW Overlander]

If conflict escalates, I suspect Cambodia will kick their a$$. Imagine an epic loss of face.

[newbee2022]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

In a chilling development, the Thai Army announced Cambodia is aiming long-range artillery at Thailand's Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket. Army spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree revealed that Cambodia's artillery can strike within Thai borders, prompting necessary adjustments in Thai troop deployment to counteract the threat.

 

The situation has sparked diplomatic concerns, especially after Fair Party MP Kannavee Suebsueng highlighted that Cambodia submitted a document to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), referencing the ongoing border dispute, exactly 63 years after the ICJ allotted the Phra Vihear temple to Cambodia.

 

In his Facebook commentary, Kannavee criticised the Thai government's strategy, claiming Cambodia is diplomatically outpacing Thailand and forcing it into a defensive position.

 

Kannavee accused Cambodia of meticulously planning the timing to coincide with the Joint Border Cooperation (JBC) meeting, indicating Cambodia's superior diplomatic strategy.

 

He urged the Thai government to formulate a robust approach to counter Cambodia's moves instead of continually dismissing the ICJ's jurisdiction, which the Thai government historically refuses to accept, despite the presence of the ICJ’s Asia and Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok.

 

While UN Member States automatically fall under ICJ statutes, meaning any can present a case to the court, jurisdiction acceptance remains a separate hurdle. The conundrum deepens for Thailand as Cambodia seems to seize the initiative on international diplomacy fronts, compelling Thai leadership to reassess its current stance on border disputes.

 

The standoff underscores long-standing regional tensions and highlights the necessity for Thailand to bolster its domestic defence strategy while navigating the complexities of international diplomacy and legal jurisdiction. As the situation unfolds, both nations appear locked in a political game that could define the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia.

 

Diplomatic observers await further developments as Thailand and Cambodia continue to navigate this tense period. While the Thai military fortifies its defence, the Thai government faces mounting pressure to adjust its diplomatic approach in addressing the border disputes with more effectiveness and foresight.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-06-16

 

 

It seems to me all about "losing face".

I think Thais can't be losers, though....😳

The International Court decided already years ago.

Well, Cambodia might call the UN to send troops of peace makers.

Or ask the greatest deal maker in history for a solution.🎉

[JAG]

A large proportion of the Cambodian Army's artillery comprises the Soviet D30 gun, a robust, simple yet effective 122mm gun. That has a range of 21 Kms. Given that onc emplaced - which with trained crews takes a matter of minutes) such (virtually any)  artillery piece can fire a variety of munitions on any target through 6400mils out to 21 Kms then of course they have the capability to fire into Thailand. 

 

Given that the Thai Army has a large (and bewilderingly varied) array of 105mm and 155mm artillery of similar and greater ranges, then they too have the same ability.

 

Even if both sides are keeping their artillery out of range of the border, guns are mobile, and that can be sorted out in a couple of hours.

 

A bit of a false alarm.

[Watawattana]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Or ask the greatest deal maker in history for a solution.🎉

Xi?  Putin? 🤪

[lordgrinz]

1 hour ago, BMW Overlander said:

If conflict escalates, I suspect Cambodia will kick their a$$. Imagine an epic loss of face.

 

Cambodia couldn't kick their own "a$$", they are seriously outclassed and outnumbered militarily.

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, Watawattana said:

Xi?  Putin? 🤪

I reckon you're not an American????

[harryviking]

Have these "Khmer Rouge" people gone absolutely bananas??? 😫😫

[lordgrinz]

4 minutes ago, harryviking said:

Have these "Khmer Rouge" people gone absolutely bananas??? 😫😫

 

Based on their military strength compared to Thailand? They must be out their minds.

 

Thailand and Cambodia's military strength compared in 2025 Global Firepower report:

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40050940

 

[JAG]

2 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Cambodia couldn't kick their own "a$$", they are seriously outclassed and outnumbered militarily.

Yet they did rather well the last couple of times.

 

Thailand has greater numbers, and greater firepower, but...

[zzzzz]

well, where else would they aim them??

let hope cooler heads prevail unlike Russia and Israel and nobody starts shooting or firing rockets/drones towards the other side

[NoDisplayName]

54 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Based on their military strength compared to Thailand? They must be out their minds.

 

Thailand and Cambodia's military strength compared in 2025 Global Firepower report:

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40050940

 

 

Numbers are only part of the story.

Can they fight?

Are they effective?

 

I understand the Cambodians are severely underclassed in aircraft carriers and blimps, although there are rumours they've been offered an unwanted submarine at a discount.

 

Their military budget is much smaller, but then Cambodia doesn't have one general for every 221 troops.

 

It'll probably all come down to who China supports.  

Fun fact, the commander of Cambodian forces is General Mao.

[lordgrinz]

6 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Numbers are only part of the story.

Can they fight?

Are they effective?

 

I understand the Cambodians are severely underclassed in aircraft carriers and blimps, although there are rumours they've been offered an unwanted submarine at a discount.

 

Their military budget is much smaller, but then Cambodia doesn't have one general for every 221 troops.

 

It'll probably all come down to who China supports.  

Fun fact, the commander of Cambodian forces is General Mao.

 

Or this could just be Thaksin's and Hun Sen's plan to stay in power behind the scenes, a distraction to keeping the Elite and Militaries occupied, thus avoiding the possibility of a coup.

[PETERTHEEATER]

On 6/16/2025 at 2:56 AM, webfact said:

Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree revealed that Cambodia's artillery can strike within Thai borders,

I didn't realise it was a secret.

[Purdey]

Not a military expert but maybe someone can explain how the Thais would know that Cambodia is targeting a village if no guns have been fired. 

[Watawattana]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

I reckon you're not an American????

Maybe you didn't see the emoji before typing your reply?

[klauskunkel]

On 6/16/2025 at 8:56 AM, webfact said:

While UN Member States automatically fall under ICJ statutes, meaning any can present a case to the court, jurisdiction acceptance remains a separate hurdle.

How did Thaksin famously put it: "The UN is not my father."

It therefore follows that the UN is not Paetongtarn's grandfather, but maybe Hun Manet's...

[ronnie50]

On 6/16/2025 at 8:56 AM, webfact said:

Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree revealed that Cambodia's artillery can strike within Thai borders, prompting necessary adjustments in Thai troop deployment to counteract the threat.

I think the subordinate Thai army spoxs needs to leave public statements about the changing situation to democratically elected politicians like the PM or Defense Minister - he should be briefing them, not making public statements. This whole thing smells more and more like a prefab situation by hidden hands to wrong foot - sideline the elected government.

[JAG]

51 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Not a military expert but maybe someone can explain how the Thais would know that Cambodia is targeting a village if no guns have been fired. 

It is I suppose possible that the Cambodia has been "detected" reccenoitring  gun positions within range of the Thai border. Not emplacing guns but registering positions. A relatively simple process, especially now that GPS has greatly simplified the "survey" process.

 

There again, I should imagine the Thais are doing the same.

[Aussie999]

4 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Cambodia couldn't kick their own "a$$", they are seriously outclassed and outnumbered militarily.

So, you have in depth knowledge of both armies, so, please explain your comment.