Analysis Rising Tensions: Is Full-Scale War Looming on Thailand-Cambodia Border?

[Peterphuket]

Pointless escalation, it turns, as I already mentioned only concerns, I have a bigger one than you.

[Rinato]

We really don't know anything. 

Who start, why, who is behind all this. 

And infos are always one-sided and manipulative. 

All we can say are just speculations based on not trustable news.

Mere suppositions. 

And the nationalistic sentiments of the 2 countries are blinding any common sense. 

Plus soldiers can now use some of their toys.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, JAG said:

Golly, that F16 was low!

Precision bombing ?

[Aussie999]

"Cambodia Initiates Fire: Reports confirm Cambodian forces ...etc" confirmed by who...I see Cambodia says the opposite, so, are we only getting Thailand's side of the story...we do know Thailand started the border problem, by ignoring Cambodia's sovereignty, and illegally crossing an internationally recognised, except for Thailand, border, a border  recognised since 1960.

[AsiaCheese]

5 hours ago, Artisi said:

Both sides should take a look at the "Whisky War" that raged for a number of years between Canada and  Greenland, this was about the ownership of small island where both parties in good nature took it in turns to claim is as their territory, plant your flag and leave a bottle of whisky / schnapps. 

Not that much difference to a couple of small temple areas of really no significant value and is way over the top and could easily be resolved with a bit if common sense of both parties. 

Can't compare the two. When nationalism and "me me me" comes into play, common sense goes up in smoke. Or gunpowder, as it were.

[Ironmike]

This is an easy fix just round up Taksin and his daughter and hand them over see problem fixed,, but you can bet your last dollar that if skit hits the fan that Taksin will be the first out the door back to Dubai. 

[Homburg]

Full scale war? Unlikely. It would be bad for business. Who wants to go on holiday to a warzone?

[Will B Good]

Just now, Homburg said:

Full scale war? Unlikely. It would be bad for business. Who wants to go on holiday to a warzone?

 

 

I'd hang back a bit on that.......TAT could be working on this as a new attraction.

[Aussie999]

5 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

People claim to be Buddhists, not nations.

Pedantic...but hey, google accepts a search for "Buddhist nations," I think you might lose this argument.

[David T Pike]

Is Thailand going to have it's own little "Vietnam war" like the USA did?  Just more of the "Domino Theory"?

[Iron Tongue]

10 minutes ago, Rinato said:

We really don't know anything. 

Who start, why, who is behind all this. 

And infos are always one-sided and manipulative. 

All we can say are just speculations based on not trustable news.

Mere suppositions. 

And the nationalistic sentiments of the 2 countries are blinding any common sense. 

Plus soldiers can now use some of their toys.

 

Yes.

From reading this thread, most posters don't understand that the Thai and Cambodians have been traditional enemies for 700 years.   Just because it's 2025 does not mean that one wrong move won't spark a full blown war at a scale not seen since 1979.  

 

China can end a war, but they'd gain more "prestige" if they let the killing get really bloody before stepping-in so they'd look even better in the eyes of the world.  

[Homburg]

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

I'd hang back a bit on that.......TAT could be working on this as a new attraction.

Lol! It could work if they offer free medical cover for any war injuries!🤣🤣🤣

[Plutho]

Only hope that not be a long time before that stop.

[topt]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 Cambodian President Hun Sen did travel to China last week.

 

Reports indicate that he boarded a private jet from Phnom Penh en route to China following a military escalation involving Cambodia and Thailand. 

 

???????

And I heard that 'rumour' was already debunked........

Who knows

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, topt said:

And I heard that 'rumour' was already debunked........

Who knows

 

Could be totally faked, but the Thais here were dancing around last night saying they had found his flight data......guess it doesn't mean he was on the flight though....or what the purpose was?????

[Hellfire]

Nationalism feels powerful and unifying—until it comes face to face with another nationalism. That’s when the real trouble begins. Nationalism, by its very nature, cannot resolve even the smallest territorial dispute with another form of itself. When two national identities claim the same land or legacy, compromise becomes nearly impossible. It takes other ideologies—ones that transcend exclusive identity, like liberalism and international cooperation—to step in and find a solution.

[KhunBENQ]

6 hours ago, JAG said:

It also has a very significant signature when fired, which would make it vulnerable to counter battery fire or air attack.

Does Thai army have a fleet of drones? Would quickly set an end to rocket launcher on a public road .

[KhunBENQ]

Propaganda machinery on full swing.

The one above all shown entering a fighter jet or wearing camouflage and steel helmet.

[Toby1947]

Full scale war, 🤣😂 my prediction the Thais will scarper once the first shot is fired at them. Biggest cowards on the planet,  only ever been at war once against Laos and they lost that. It ain't happening 

[Hunz Kittisak]

Will there be mob lynching of Cambodians here? 

[ikke1959]

According to the Dutch News  states that it seems that a personal disagreement between Thaksin and Hun Sen is the cause of these shootings and attack. Thaksin even stated that he let the army do as they want to "teach Hun Sen a lesson".. The US  China and Malysia have offered mediation, but Thailand refused it as they can solve the problems themselves... Just to say..... again I suppose the Shin clan is the one who makes the troubles

[JAG]

31 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Does Thai army have a fleet of drones? Would quickly set an end to rocket launcher on a public road .

Probably, although I retired before drones came in.

 

Good old fashioned observation techniques could probably locate a BM21 launcher within a couple of minutes of it being fired - two or better three OPs getting bearings on the flash or smoke from it being fired would produce a target location If they are ready they should be able to get fire on them in a matter of minutes - catch them as they were coming out of action. That of course depends on good well practised artillery techniques!

 

The launchers are pretty well limited to surfaced roads, especially in the rainy season. Again, a good OP plan, effective air surveillance (drone and manned aircraft) and even covert deep recce patrols will go a long way towards making their operations and movement difficult, they take a bit of time to get accurate survey, both for orientation and fix to ensure any accuracy especially if the GPS coverage is turned off or jammed - so use that time to find them. Of course it all depends on if the Thais have the stomach and capability for that.

[off road pat]

6 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Thailand has shut off Hun Sens gravy train (Chinese Scam networks) that's why he is desperate and lashing out, he is losing money and power. 

 

 

Great article, thank you for sharing !

[Cabradelmar]

Talk about a hit to tourism... A war with a border country would be it.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Summary of the Thai-Cambodian Situation on the Morning of Day 2 of Conflict

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.
 

Summary update of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict situation during the morning of 25 July.

 

13:00 The Army revealed that BM-21 rocket shells from Cambodia fell in the Sri Wichian Subdistrict area, damaging houses in 3 locations in Ubon Ratchathani Province. No injuries were reported. It is expected that everyone has been evacuated to shelters.

 

12.57 The government has approved financial assistance for those affected by the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border: 1,000,000 baht per person for death, 700,000 for disability, 200,000 for serious injuries, 100,000 for severe injuries, and 50,000 for minor injuries.

 

11.40  The Air Force warns the public to avoid approaching risk areas within 20-40 km along the border conflict line and to refrain from releasing images/information/personnel in military operations, such as points showing the location of aircraft passing by, aircraft taking off, images of pilots and personnel, etc.

 

11.00 The 2nd Army Region warns against believing fake news, confirming that Thai soldiers did not occupy the Preah Vihear Temple and Wat Kaew area. 

 

10.46 The death toll of "Cambodian soldiers" after fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border from July 24 to the morning of July 25, totaling 19 after being hit by heavy Thai military weapons.

 

09.50 Officers recovered 5 bodies from a convenience store and gas station in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province. The bodies are being sent to Kantharalak Hospital for identification before being handed over to relatives.

 

09.40 The Thai military confirmed that there is evidence that "Hun Sen" is behind the attacks on Thai civilian targets, which is considered a war crime. They called on international organisations and the world community to independently and transparently investigate in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

09.30 The Royal Thai Army received a report that clashes had begun since 04.00 in the areas of Chong Bok, Phu Makhuea, and Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province. Cambodia continued to fire with heavy weapons. The Thai side responded by using supporting weapons according to the situation.

 

08.10 The 2nd Army Region has issued a warning that there are currently clashes in several areas along the border. The public is asked to avoid entering areas along the border.

 

08.00 Situation at the permanent border crossing at Ban Laem, Thep Nimit Subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province, nearly 3,000 Cambodians are gradually gathering in front of the checkpoint to prepare to return to their country. 

 

07:45 The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Thailand issued a statement expressing concern over the fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border and calling for an immediate end to the attacks, protection of civilians, and a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

 

05.56 The Surin Provincial Public Relations Office reported that in Kab Choeng District, Surin Province, the District Chief reported that the sound of artillery was heard and another clash had begun.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-07-25

 

 

 

[jwest10]

7 hours ago, Artisi said:

Both sides should take a look at the "Whisky War" that raged for a number of years between Canada and  Greenland, this was about the ownership of small island where both parties in good nature took it in turns to claim is as their territory, plant your flag and leave a bottle of whisky / schnapps. 

Not that much difference to a couple of small temple areas of really no significant value and is way over the top and could easily be resolved with a bit if common sense of both parties. 

Common sense politicians who never ever serve is simply not there and send their forces to severe injuries and to their deaths and they are the same throughout the world!!! 

[Burma Bill]

8 hours ago, JAG said:

Golly, that F16 was low!

 Very much so. 

 

Cambodia had claimed to have shot down one F16!

[Pinot]

Thailand should mop up Cambodia in a few hours. The idiots in Cambodia should be tossed into prison for escalating this. 

 

 

[Grumpy one]

7 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

There is one person responsible for this mess. If he was in prison where he should be none of this would have ever happened besides numerous other things.

Is it a coincidence this happens when one person is in the news about his hospital stay 

[Task Master]

When Cambodian troops capture Bangkok, then what?