Thai - Cambodia Conflict Thai Army Confirms Renewed Cambodian Shelling on Strategic Border Zones

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

The Royal Thai Army has confirmed fresh artillery attacks by Cambodian forces in the early hours of the morning of 27 July, targeting strategic border areas recently secured by Thai troops.

 

Colonel Ritcha Suksuwanon, Deputy Spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, stated that at approximately 04:00, Cambodian troops fired heavy artillery into the Prasat Ta Muen area of Phanom Dong Rak district in Surin province and into the Chong An Ma area in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani. The attacks reportedly followed Thailand’s successful military operations to retake these key strategic zones earlier.

 

“The Cambodian military is attempting to re-enter territory now under Thai control,” said Colonel Ritcha. “Our response has been in line with military protocol. Thai artillery units have returned fire, targeting Cambodian rocket and artillery positions.”

 

The renewed hostilities come amid mounting international concern over the ongoing border conflict. While U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to act as a mediator for a ceasefire.

 

“What Mr. Trump said is a separate government level issue,” Colonel Ritcha asserted. “Our forces in the field continue to operate according to strict tactical protocols. A ceasefire will only be considered if Cambodian forces formally approach Thailand to request negotiations.”

 

It was also reported that a Cambodian artillery shell ignited a house in Surin province, though no injuries were reported. Intermittent exchanges of fire have continued throughout the early morning, with both sides using heavy weaponry including what appears to be BM-21 rocket systems.

 

The Thai military maintains that its actions are purely defensive and intended to preserve national sovereignty and civilian safety along the contested border regions.

 

As tensions again escalate, authorities have warned civilians to avoid affected border areas and remain alert to further developments.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-27

 

 

 

 

 

[ezflip]

Phanom Dong Rak - can confirm that there is artillery fire from both sides.

 

Following OPSEC rules, will not disclose where and how many various vehicles made a U-Turn on my lawn...won't ask for compensation either. 

[Gottfrid]

So, this is the people who agrees to cease fire.

[bdenner]

27 minutes ago, ezflip said:

Phanom Dong Rak - can confirm that there is artillery fire from both sides.

 

Following OPSEC rules, will not disclose where and how many various vehicles made a U-Turn on my lawn...won't ask for compensation either. 

According to Google Earth, Prasat Ta Muen is about 400 Metres into the Cambodian side of the border.  With your local knowledge do you perceive this to be correct?

[ezflip]

7 minutes ago, bdenner said:

According to Google Earth, Prasat Ta Muen is about 400 Metres into the Cambodian side of the border.  With your local knowledge do you perceive this to be correct?

I will not speculate as to which side of the border it belongs as this is the reason for this ongoing conflict but you are looking at what google earth thinks it is. I can confirm that I am nearby.

 

You could ask me about an island between China and the Philippines belongs to whom and I would be forced to answer the same thing ...

 

Distinction is the key, as it was pointed out to me on another thread.

[gargamon]

But, but, but... Didn't Trump say he had a cease fire? Same as Ukraine and Gaza I guess.

 

Good luck with that Nobel peace prize donnie.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Cambodian Forces Fire BM-21 Rockets at Ta Muen Thom Temple, Damaging Ancient Site

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

Cambodian military forces launched a series of heavy attacks targeting both military and civilian areas in Thailand’s northeastern provinces on the morning of 27 July. In a particularly alarming development, multiple BM-21 Grad rockets were fired directly at the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, a Khmer-era historical site located in Surin province, causing severe damage to the structure.

 

The incident, which occurred at approximately 08:20 was condemned by Thai military sources as a deliberate and unacceptable assault on a cultural heritage site. “This constitutes a serious act of destruction against an irreplaceable historical monument,” an army reserve unit posted on its official communication channel.

 

The cross-border hostilities, now entering their fourth day, have affected several areas along the Thai provinces of Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. The situation began intensifying around 04:30, when Cambodian forces attempted to reclaim territory near Ta Kwai temple, sparking gunfire and explosions heard across the border zone.

 

By 05:00, artillery fire from the Phanom Dong Rak range had commenced, followed by several unidentified artillery shells landing in Ban Ta Sor, Ban Phluang subdistrict, Prasat district, Surin province. Civilian homes were hit in Phanom Dong Rak district shortly after, causing property damage but no confirmed casualties as local residents had already been evacuated to safer locations.

 

At 07:45, three more artillery shells struck Ban Nong Joob, Ta Miang subdistrict. Merely five minutes later, Cambodian forces launched a BM-21 rocket attack on Chong Chom district, once again damaging homes and intensifying panic among local residents.

 

In a significant military counteraction, Thai forces successfully retook control of the strategically located “Chong An Ma” pass at 08:00, raising the Thai national flag to mark their regained position.

 

 

The targeted rocket strike on Ta Muen Thom temple, a sacred and historically significant Khmer site, has raised concerns not only about the military escalation but also the disregard for cultural heritage during the conflict. Experts fear that further attacks could jeopardise other ancient monuments along the border.

 

As the situation remains volatile, a Thai Army spokesperson reiterated that a ceasefire will only be considered if Cambodia initiates direct negotiations.

 

The deliberate attack on Ta Muen Thom is likely to further strain diplomatic relations between the two countries, even as global figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, have urged an immediate ceasefire and threatened economic repercussions should the violence continue.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-27

 

 

 

 

[ozz1]

So much for a ceasefire hot heads on both sides everyone needs time to negotiate too many innocent people will be killed on both sides hopefully they'll listen to Donald Trump I'm no fan but someone has to intervene

[ezflip]

As I was corrected on another thread, agreement to a ceasefire does not mean implementation of said ceasefire.

[Gottfrid]

So, now they are bombing one of the temple they are fighting to have control over. One might wonder what goes on in their damaged brains

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Royal Thai Air Force Deploys Four F-16 Jets in Retaliatory Bombing Mission on Cambodian Targets

 

File picture courtesy of Amarin

 

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) dispatched four F-16 fighter jets on 27 July, in a precision bombing mission targeting Cambodian military positions near the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Khwai temples, following an earlier rocket attack by Cambodian forces that caused severe damage to the ancient Ta Muen Thom structure.

 

The air operation involved two groupss of F-16s and was launched from an undisclosed airbase in support of Royal Thai Army units stationed along the border in Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province. According to military officials, the mission was successfully completed with all aircraft returning safely to base.

 

The airstrike was a direct response to Cambodia’s use of BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, which reportedly struck the historic temple complex situated near the contested border area. Thai authorities condemned the rocket barrage as a violation of Thai sovereignty and a deliberate act of cultural destruction.

 

The Ministry of Defence stated that the aerial operation was part of a broader strategy to protect Thailand’s territorial integrity and to support ground troops amid rising cross-border hostilities.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-27

 

 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

Awesome! They should deploy the F-16 a bit more on a wider spectrum. Might give good results.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Cambodian Defence Spokeswoman Denies BM-21 Attack on Ta Muen Temple

 

Pictured courtesy of Amarin.

 

Cambodia has firmly denied Thai accusations that it launched BM-21 rocket attacks on the historic Ta Muen Thom temple, calling the claims “illogical and malicious”. In a press briefing on 27 July, Lieutenant General Mali Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, rejected the allegations, stating that Cambodia would never destroy its own heritage.

 

“We have no reason to damage what our ancestors built,” said Lt Gen Mali. “These accusations are baseless and clearly intended to provoke.”

 

The spokesperson insisted that it was Thai forces who fired artillery rounds into the temple area. She pointed to earlier posts by the Royal Thai Army that accused Cambodia of shelling the site, despite what she called “overwhelming historical and legal evidence” of Cambodian sovereignty.

 

According to the Cambodian account of events, the confrontation began at 02:00 on 27 July, when Thai forces allegedly began artillery fire on the Thung Insee area. The shelling then reportedly expanded at 02:30 to include Ta Thao, Phnom 333 and Phnom Khmao. By 04:50, Cambodia claims, the Thai military had targeted both Ta Muen Thom and Ta Khwai temples. Shortly afterwards, at 06:00, Cambodian officials said Thai ground forces advanced to occupy Phnom Khmao, An Sae and Thung Insee.

 

By 06:30, a large-scale Thai incursion reportedly took place using tanks and infantry, with multiple Cambodian-held zones under attack.

 

Lt Gen Mali condemned the Thai military’s actions as “a flagrant violation of Cambodian sovereignty” and a serious breach of international law. “Thailand’s aggressive military actions represent a direct threat not only to Cambodia but to the peace and stability of the entire region,” she said.

 

She accused the Thai government of deliberately undermining efforts to resolve the border dispute peacefully. “These actions make it clear that Thailand is seeking to escalate tensions rather than reduce them,” she added.

 

In closing, Lt Gen Mali reaffirmed Cambodia’s readiness for an immediate ceasefire and commitment to resolving the conflict through peaceful means, in accordance with international law. She cited Article 51 of the UN Charter, which affirms the right of self-defence, as the legal basis for Cambodia’s response to what it considers unlawful aggression.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-27

 

 

 

 

[ukrules]

19 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Cambodia has firmly denied Thai accusations that it launched BM-21 rocket attacks on the historic Ta Muen Thom temple

 

Well somebody did it, could it be that these generals are not quite as in charge of everything that happens as they think they are?

I'm talking about rogue elements in charge of artillery.

[Myran]

Thailand and Cambodia are having a meeting tomorrow in Malaysia: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-fm-says-cambodian-thai-leaders-to-discuss-conflict-on-monday-bernama-reports

[Georgealbert]

7 minutes ago, Myran said:

Thailand and Cambodia are having a meeting tomorrow in Malaysia: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-fm-says-cambodian-thai-leaders-to-discuss-conflict-on-monday-bernama-reports

Already in the news section.

 

 

[smedly]

yeah, and the attack on a 7/11 wasn't you either 

 

you have no idea where your primative rockets are going to land, I hope Thailand  gives you a lesson you will not forget, I don't approve of violence but on this occasion it is 100% justifiedand if, stupid Cambodia continues down this path then  I think Thailand has every right to disable cambodia permanently 

[JimHuaHin]

Propaganda war in full swing.

 

Fake images abound.

[Gottfrid]

16 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Lieutenant General Mali Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, rejected the allegations, stating that Cambodia would never destroy its own heritage.

Sure they wouldn´t do on purpose, but if you have uneducated morons in charge of firing the rockets, that´s the unwanted result you get.