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

[Geoff914]

26 minutes ago, Miloki said:

 

I would suggest everyone on both sides chill and look at why this issue happened to be stirred up now.

I look at the BBC as an outlet for the opinion of the UK deep state. And they are encouraging escalation with these accusations of Thailand using cluster munitions.

 

I know a lot of UK Expats love Thailand, but there is a case to be made that the UK is behind stirring up a lot of crap internationally.  Ukraine/Russia, Israel/Iran, India/Pakistan, and here? 

 

Questions need to be asked.  Why now?  Cui bono?

The report says "Thailand also accused Cambodia of firing into civilian areas and evacuated all villages deemed to be within the radius of its rockets.

Cambodia, for its part, accused Thailand of using cluster munitions. Cluster munitions are banned in much of the world because of their indiscriminate effect on civilian populations. Thailand has not responded to the allegations."

So Cambodia accused Thailand of using cluster munitions not the BBC.

[Miloki]

1 minute ago, Geoff914 said:

The report says "Thailand also accused Cambodia of firing into civilian areas and evacuated all villages deemed to be within the radius of its rockets.

Cambodia, for its part, accused Thailand of using cluster munitions. Cluster munitions are banned in much of the world because of their indiscriminate effect on civilian populations. Thailand has not responded to the allegations."

So Cambodia accused Thailand of using cluster munitions not the BBC.

 

Unsourced quote no?

[Geoff914]

5 minutes ago, Miloki said:

 

Unsourced quote no?

You are suggesting that the BBC made up the quote?

 

[Geoff914]

8 minutes ago, Miloki said:

 

Unsourced quote no?

I also found reference to the Times of India, Oneindianews and NewsXLive quoting cluster munitions. It is not unknown for the BBC to quote other sources.

[Miloki]

Just now, Geoff914 said:

I also found reference to the Times of India, Oneindianews and NewsXLive quoting cluster munitions. It is not unknown for the BBC to quote other sources.

Great, please share the person in the Cambodian govt who they are quoting.

 

 

[Geoff914]

1 minute ago, Miloki said:

Great, please share the person in the Cambodian govt who they are quoting.

 

 

Also the Hindustan Times. 

[Miloki]

1 minute ago, Geoff914 said:

Also the Hindustan Times. 

Do you not know how this works?

 

Share the name of the person in the Cambodian Govt that is making this initial accusation referenced by the BBC and show the quote, or go back to bed.

[Geoff914]

3 minutes ago, Miloki said:

Do you not know how this works?

 

Share the name of the person in the Cambodian Govt that is making this initial accusation referenced by the BBC and show the quote, or go back to bed.

Cambodia has ratified the Ottawa Treaty banning land mines. Are you suggesting that Cambodia is not laying land mines. Whether Thailand is or isn't using cluster munitions it was the use of land mines that I was alluding to so this has nothing to do with the BBC.  A Thai soldier got his leg blown off by one.          

[schultzlivgthai]

Thailand is in the wrong with the land dispute, 2 times they agreed to mediate from the international courts and both times Cambodia was awarded the strip of land that’s being disputed. But of course nobody is to tell Thailand that they are wrong! I’m not surprised 🙄 Both are  childish , corrupt governments that really don’t care about the citizens anyway. 

[Captain Flack]

Troll and bickering posts removed. 
 

@Miloki rule 9. You will not post disruptive or inflammatory messages. You will respect other members and post in a civil manner. Personal attacks, insults or hate speech posted on the  forum or sent by private message are not allowed.

 

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[hotandsticky]

13 hours ago, Srikcir said:

False with regard to Thailand.

The Head of State must be Buddhist. 95%+ Thais claim patrons of Buddhism.

 

 

It is still not a country.........a majority of the population (but reducing) obviously.

[thongplay]

On 7/25/2025 at 6:57 AM, KhunBENQ said:

Chinese backed. Taken over essentially.

While US acknowledges Thai military action.

Make up your own thoughts.

 

Chinese have offered to mediate.

Hope they are serious.

Thaksin plot. Thaksin = China (he's Chinese). China takes (already taken) Cambodia. China 'mediates' and controls Thailand. Thaksin becomes Thailand's dictator. Job done.

[JAG]

6 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

That or just fly in an F16? Simpler?

Yes, I mentioned using aircraft didn't I?

 

Aircraft are effective, once you have identified a target.

[kiwikeith]

On 7/25/2025 at 8:01 AM, Mitkof Island said:

A little late now for booze. Thaksin and family leaves no more Cambodia problems, no more deep south problems, no more ganja war problems, no more chaos within the government, tourists return and stop voting in rich people.

This is just what tourism needs, the Thai Pm announced on aljazera that the war would escalate to a full war with Cambodia if they don't stop attacking Thailand with heavy artillery, ticket cancelations begin. 

 

This childish war has been going on for years time to sit down and stop the nonsense, could be easy fixed if the cowboys didn't want to play with guns .

[Burma Bill]

12 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

The Khmer Times has a propaganda piece about the Thai "invasion" of Cambodia and Cambodian civilians "under attack". "The blood of our people has been spilled—not on a battlefield, but in their homes, schools, and clinics. And the world must remember: peace dies when bombs fall on children". But no reports of any Cambodian civilians being killed, as far as I can see.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501724977/bombs-over-peace-thailands-war-crimes-against-cambodias-civilians/

 

Meantime, Cambodians are shelling Thai shops and villages - even a hospital - resulting in many Thai civilian deaths and injuries.

 

Thailand, as far as I can tell, is specifically targeting military installations/assets.

 

It would be interesting to hear from members living in Cambodia whether there are reports of Cambodian civilian deaths/injuries.

 

It would be interesting to hear from members living in Cambodia whether there are reports of Cambodian civilian deaths/injuries.

 

 I live in Cambodia and yes, there is a report in today's Khmer Times of fatalities due to the border clashes with Siam. (26th July 2025)

 

 

The Ministry of National Defence has confirmed that 13 Cambodian nationals—including five Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) personnel and eight civilians—were killed in a deadly cross-border attack by Thai military forces early this morning in Pursat province.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/category/national/

 

The following photo accompanied the article  showing a young Khmer boy being treated for an injury sustained by Siamese military aggression (authenticity unknown)

 

[Hunz Kittisak]

Makes my blood boil to see Cambodian side targeting civilians.

 

Is there a volunteer militia force? Where do I sign up? 

[Hunz Kittisak]

2 hours ago, thongplay said:

Thaksin plot. Thaksin = China (he's Chinese). China takes (already taken) Cambodia. China 'mediates' and controls Thailand. Thaksin becomes Thailand's dictator. Job done.

Cambodia is also China’s vassal state. 
Evil China is eyeing the entire South East Asia. 

[Hunz Kittisak]

13 hours ago, geisha said:

Do not agree. That’s just an excuse . Normal people don’t begin a war over a small temple. That’s an excuse too. Cambodia is ruled by tyrans , you only have to travel outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to see how the people live. Someone tell me who is giving orders to the Thai Army, it’s not the Thaksins .   Easy to see who’s ruling with an iron hand in Cambodia , it’s Hun Sen ex Khmer Rouge and his idiot shadow of a son. Hun Sen with his bloated ego started this. Thailand cannot stand back . 

Well observed 

Cambodia is the bad guy here just like Putin in the Russian Ukraine war.

Folks with vile intentions trying to change the narrative.

It’s amazing how some fail to see the forest for the trees. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

5 hours ago, Miloki said:

 

Unsourced quote no?

 

Thais confirming they are using cluster munitions (as they have before against Cambodia).

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40053078

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Well observed 

Cambodia is the bad guy here just like Putin in the Russian Ukraine war.

Folks with vile intentions trying to change the narrative.

It’s amazing how some fail to see the forest for the trees. 

 

Except the Preah Vihear temple was occupied by Thai forces which kicked this whole thing off. 

 

The ICJ has now ruled twice that the temple belongs to Cambodia and is on the Cambodian side of the border. 

 

Just because the road is on the Thai side means nothing, but try explaining this to a Thai.

 

The temple is Khmer (built before Siam or Thailand even existed during the Khmer Empire).

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

Cambodia has ratified the Ottawa Treaty banning land mines. Are you suggesting that Cambodia is not laying land mines. Whether Thailand is or isn't using cluster munitions it was the use of land mines that I was alluding to so this has nothing to do with the BBC.  A Thai soldier got his leg blown off by one. 

 

The Thais heavily mined the border areas of Western Cambodia during the 80's and 90's when they were allied with the Khmer Rouge against Vietnamese incursions or even invasion of Thailand. 

 

This led to the area being the most heavily mined area in the World in the late 90's early 2000's.

[Cameroni]

6 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Just because the road is on the Thai side means nothing, but try explaining this to a Thai.

 

It means a bit more than nothing. The fact that the French incompetently awarded this temple to Cambodia was a manifest and clear error. If one looks at the map it is very obvious this piece of land should belong to the Thais instead. The Thais just didn't realise it initially and made the error of accepting the French map at first. When the Thais realised the French error the Thais were aggrieved, understandably, and felt robbed. Just as they did when the French expelled them from the Cambodian territories they occupied after WWWII.

 

Now, obviously the Cambodians feel the temple and the land is theirs by right. And it was they who tried to force the issue by appealing to the ICJ, because Cambodians want to settle this issues for once and for all, because they are scared of Thailand and are wedged between Thiailand and Vietnam.

 

This is why Cambodia sent the agent provocateurs to sing patriotic songs, do endless patrols, they WANT to force the issue one way or the other to settle it.

 

Now, the Thai side was not innocent and did indeed do a number of passive aggressive acts as well, including most likely moving border markers secretly. One would really have to say both parties are to blame for the current conflict, if one were not an interested party.

[Mr Meeseeks]

2 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

It means a bit more than nothing. The fact that the French incompetently awarded this temple to Cambodia was a manifest and clear error.

 

Architecturally and culturally, it is Khmer. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Timeline:

 

A 1907 French map placed Preah Vihear within Cambodian territory.

 

In 1959, Cambodia brought the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

 

In 1962, the ICJ ruled that:

1. The temple is in Cambodian territory.

2. Thailand must withdraw any forces and return any items taken from the site.

 

In 2008, Cambodia succeeded in getting Preah Vihear listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Cambodia asked the ICJ to clarify the 1962 judgment due to Thai opposition.

 

In 2013, the ICJ ruled that:

1. Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole promontory where the temple sits.

2. Thailand must withdraw military personnel from the area.

[simon43]

Cambodia does seem to lack the weaponry to win this conflict, so why was it started?  I think China is behind it:

 

- China eggs on it's puppet Cambodia to start/retaliate in a conflict

- China already controls Laos and Cambodia and parts of Myanmar

- China threatens Thailand and the 'West' gets seriously worried!

- China and the West agree to let China take over Taiwan if it stops the Thai-Cambodia conflict by giving Hun Sen a slap!

 

Far-fetched? China plays the very long game and will use whatever means necessary to reach its goals. 

[Cameroni]

14 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

Architecturally and culturally, it is Khmer. 

 

Yes but looking at the map, at the time this temple and land should have been awarded to Thailand. The French draughtsman just made a clear error in handing it to Cambodia.

 

"In 1907, the Thai-Cambodian border was mapped by the French on behalf of a bilateral border commission. According to the 1904 agreement, the border would follow the natural watershed between the countries. However, the resulting map deviated by showing Preah Vihear Temple as being in Cambodia, even though it is on the Thai side of the watershed. Thailand accepted the map for official use. The Thais discovered the error when they made their own survey in the 1930s, but the ICJ ruled that they had waited too long to protest and lost the temple by "acquiescence".

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008–2013_Cambodian–Thai_border_crisis

 

Indeed so grievous was the error by the French that when the ICJ in the 60s accepted the map and awarded the temple to Cambodia, one of the judges gave a scathing opinion of dissent:

 

"Australian judge Sir Percy Spender wrote a scathing dissent for the minority on the court, however, pointing out that the French government had never mentioned Thai "acquiescence" or acceptance at any time, not even when Thailand stationed military observers at the temple in 1949. On the contrary, France always insisted that their map was correct and the temple was located on their side of the natural watershed (which it clearly is not). Thailand had modified its own maps, which in Spender's opinion was sufficient without having to protest to France. Spender said:

Whether the Mixed Commission did or did not delimit the Dangrek, the truth, in my opinion, is that the frontier line on that mountain range is today the line of the watershed. The Court however has upheld a frontier line which is not the line of the watershed, one which in the critical area of the Temple is an entirely different one. This finds its justification in the application of the concepts of recognition or acquiescence.

With profound respect for the Court, I am obliged to say that in my judgment, as a result of a misapplication of these concepts and an inadmissible extension of them, territory, the sovereignty in which, both by treaty and by the decision of the body appointed under treaty to determine the frontier line, is Thailand's, now becomes vested in Cambodia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preah_Vihear_Temple

[Cameroni]

Here the original dissenting opinion from Sir Percy Spender, who was clearly of the view that the temple and the surrounding land should have been awarded to Thailand:

 

https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/45/045-19620615-JUD-01-06-EN.pdf

[smedly]

12 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

Its the Man power and Professionalism id be worried about on the battlefield with the Thai infanrty if it came to the push.

 

 

there is no contest between  Cambodia  and thailand

 

although I do doubt the maturity of both 

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Here the original dissenting opinion from Sir Percy Spender, who was clearly of the view that the temple and the surrounding land should have been awarded to Thailand:

 

https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/45/045-19620615-JUD-01-06-EN.pdf

 

And if my Auntie had baws she'd be my Uncle.

[Mr Meeseeks]

26 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Timeline:

 

A 1907 French map placed Preah Vihear within Cambodian territory.

 

In 1959, Cambodia brought the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

 

In 1962, the ICJ ruled that:

1. The temple is in Cambodian territory.

2. Thailand must withdraw any forces and return any items taken from the site.

 

In 2008, Cambodia succeeded in getting Preah Vihear listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Cambodia asked the ICJ to clarify the 1962 judgment due to Thai opposition.

 

In 2013, the ICJ ruled that:

1. Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole promontory where the temple sits.

2. Thailand must withdraw military personnel from the area.

 

These are facts. You might not like them but don't shoot the messenger.