Thai - Cambodia Conflict Tensions Flare as Thai-Cambodian Forces Grapple Over Temple

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Thai PBS

 

In the heart of an ongoing territorial dispute, Thai troops have occupied key areas surrounding the ancient Ta Kwai Temple, according to Army Spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree. However, they have yet to seize the temple itself.

 

Before a ceasefire took effect at midnight on 28 July, Thai forces attempted to capture both the temple and a strategically significant site known as 'Mount 350'. This location offers a commanding view over the temple but is heavily fortified with mines, which has already resulted in injuries to Thai soldiers.

 

As the ceasefire deadline loomed, Thai troops withdrew to preserve their safety and morale. Maj-Gen Winthai revealed that 'Mount 350' has been used by Cambodian forces as a base to shell the temple and its surrounding areas. Despite the withdrawal, Thai troops have successfully secured additional positions around Ta Kwai, enhancing their strategic leverage.

 

Both Thai and Cambodian forces now find themselves facing off on opposite sides of the temple. In response to these movements, Cambodia has sent reinforcements and plans to erect a barbed-wire fence around the site. Meanwhile, Thai troops are constructing fortifications around the nearby Ta Muen Thome Temple.

 

Adding further strain to the situation, the capture of 20 Cambodian soldiers has ignited diplomatic tensions. These soldiers, currently held in Thailand, face charges of illegal entry—a minor offence leading to fines and possible expulsion. Among the detainees, two injured soldiers are receiving medical care in Surin’s army hospital.

 

The Cambodian government is actively demanding their release, adding a layer of complexity to the dispute. How this situation develops will be of significant interest to both regional and international observers keen to understand the evolving balance of power in this sensitive area.

 

This altercation highlights a historical rivalry steeped in cultural and national significance, with both nations asserting claims over the territory. As the global community watches closely, the focus remains on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, ensuring that a negotiated resolution can be reached without further conflict.

 

With military movements continuing and diplomatic negotiations underway, this tense standoff serves as a reminder of the delicate geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia. What happens next could set a precedent for how territorial disputes in the region are managed, underlining the importance of dialogue over aggression.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-08-01

 

[ikke1959]

But Thailand never does anything wrong. The news all day is about how bad Cambodia is... But Thailand never cross a line and are as in real life fair players........

[gtr]

5 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

But Thailand never does anything wrong. The news all day is about how bad Cambodia is... But Thailand never cross a line and are as in real life fair players........

Yep amazing that just a few short months ago very few believed anything that came out of the mouths of the military - now they all think what they are being fed is the truth - amazing thailand huh 

[kwilco]

It seems to me that both we (foreigners) and the Thai general public are being played. It's hard not to notice how nationalistic, even borderline hysterical  the Thai media coverage of the Cambodia conflict has become?  (I’m sure the Cambodian media is equally unbalanced)

In Thailand, it’s the usual script: Thailand = innocent and righteous, Cambodia = sneaky aggressor. There’s no context, no nuance, no effort to understand the bigger picture — just flag-waving and recycled paranoia from the previous conflicts... You’d think the entire nation was under siege.

What’s even more worrying is how easily the public buys into it. It’s like with Trump and Brexit.
There’s zero critical thinking, just blind trust in anything stamped with a uniform or a royal seal. Decades of top-down messaging have trained or accustomed people to equate loyalty with obedience, not inquiry.
This isn’t really about national security,  it is a convenient distraction from economic hardship, corruption, and political discontent? An excuse to either bolster the government or set the stage for a coup.
Any are voices calling for restraint or realism being branded as "unpatriotic"? It seems we are not allowed to question anything anymore…

[Pouatchee]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

20 Cambodian soldiers has ignited diplomatic tensions. These soldiers, currently held in Thailand, face charges of illegal entry—a minor offence leading to fines and possible expulsion

 

no work permit? deport immediately!

[Jone500]

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

It seems to me that both we (foreigners) and the Thai general public are being played. It's hard not to notice how nationalistic, even borderline hysterical  the Thai media coverage of the Cambodia conflict has become?  (I’m sure the Cambodian media is equally unbalanced)

In Thailand, it’s the usual script: Thailand = innocent and righteous, Cambodia = sneaky aggressor. There’s no context, no nuance, no effort to understand the bigger picture — just flag-waving and recycled paranoia from the previous conflicts... You’d think the entire nation was under siege.

What’s even more worrying is how easily the public buys into it. It’s like with Trump and Brexit.
There’s zero critical thinking, just blind trust in anything stamped with a uniform or a royal seal. Decades of top-down messaging have trained or accustomed people to equate loyalty with obedience, not inquiry.
This isn’t really about national security,  it is a convenient distraction from economic hardship, corruption, and political discontent? An excuse to either bolster the government or set the stage for a coup.
Any are voices calling for restraint or realism being branded as "unpatriotic"? It seems we are not allowed to question anything anymore…

I believe you are gravely mistaken. Thailand heavily relies on tourism as a major source of national income. News outlets like Aseannow report daily on how obsessed Thailand is with figuring out ways to maximize spending from drunken Farangs, even if it means relaxing various laws.

 

Thailand is surrounded by poorer neighboring countries, and although expats often label it a 'third world country', Thailand itself shows little interest in its neighbors. The chances of Thailand starting a war are extremely slim. Do you really think war would benefit them in any way? Why would tourists visit a country that stirs up fights with its neighbors?

 

In my opinion, the people best equipped to answer that are the Westerners who were present during the 2011 Thai-Cambodian border conflict. Back then, barely anyone talked about it, and Thailand clearly lost on the international stage. Today, Thailand makes an effort to avoid being seen as a war criminal, because it has already learned its lesson.

[Lorry]

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

It seems to me that both we (foreigners) and the Thai general public are being played. It's hard not to notice how nationalistic, even borderline hysterical  the Thai media coverage of the Cambodia conflict has become?  (I’m sure the Cambodian media is equally unbalanced)

In Thailand, it’s the usual script: Thailand = innocent and righteous, Cambodia = sneaky aggressor. There’s no context, no nuance, no effort to understand the bigger picture — just flag-waving and recycled paranoia from the previous conflicts... You’d think the entire nation was under siege.

What’s even more worrying is how easily the public buys into it. It’s like with Trump and Brexit.
There’s zero critical thinking, just blind trust in anything stamped with a uniform or a royal seal. Decades of top-down messaging have trained or accustomed people to equate loyalty with obedience, not inquiry.
This isn’t really about national security,  it is a convenient distraction from economic hardship, corruption, and political discontent? An excuse to either bolster the government or set the stage for a coup.
Any are voices calling for restraint or realism being branded as "unpatriotic"? It seems we are not allowed to question anything anymore…

Some people seem to agree with you:

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3078749/journalism-is-the-first-victim-in-a-conflict

 

 

[kwilco]

3 hours ago, Jone500 said:

I believe you are gravely mistaken. Thailand heavily relies on tourism as a major source of national income. News outlets like Aseannow report daily on how obsessed Thailand is with figuring out ways to maximize spending from drunken Farangs, even if it means relaxing various laws.

 

Thailand is surrounded by poorer neighboring countries, and although expats often label it a 'third world country', Thailand itself shows little interest in its neighbors. The chances of Thailand starting a war are extremely slim. Do you really think war would benefit them in any way? Why would tourists visit a country that stirs up fights with its neighbors?

 

In my opinion, the people best equipped to answer that are the Westerners who were present during the 2011 Thai-Cambodian border conflict. Back then, barely anyone talked about it, and Thailand clearly lost on the international stage. Today, Thailand makes an effort to avoid being seen as a war criminal, because it has already learned its lesson.

not sure what you're on about - jibberish? Nothing to do with my post. ike so much of the gullible and naive public you seem pretty unaware of the hisotry of the situation - I have already written about the effects on tourism elsewhere.

[Jone500]

10 minutes ago, kwilco said:

not sure what you're on about - jibberish? Nothing to do with my post. ike so much of the gullible and naive public you seem pretty unaware of the hisotry of the situation - I have already written about the effects on tourism elsewhere.

How many years have you lived in Thailand? Have you ever studied the Thai language? Have you ever paid attention to the opinions of the Thai people, or do you just spend your days reading translations of Thai articles into English on forums like Aseannow? What exactly are you talking about or are you simply trying to criticize things without making any effort to understand them?

Do you even know that, since 2011, most of the political conflicts have involved civilian governments

[kwilco]

"How many years have you lived in Thailand?" -  over 20

 

"Have you ever studied the Thai language?" At University and work

 

"Have you ever paid attention to the opinions of the Thai people," - I worked with Thai adults for over 20 years

 

"or do you just spend your days reading translations of Thai articles into English on forums like Aseannow?" - THe whole point is to be able to read abpout THailand and uae critical thinking skills to analyse what you are reading. You show none of this ....A lot of the good stuff is actually banned in Thailand

 

"What exactly are you talking about" - Yes! agreed it looks as if  it's gone way over your head!

 

Do you even know that, since 2011, most of the political conflicts have involved civilian governments - you clearly are unaware of the history of this conflict and how Thailand is governed.

 

You need to do a lot of reading and get up to speed...I don't think you're up to it, though...

You remind be of the guy, who, when asked to write an essay on William II, replied y saying "I don't know anyrhing about him, so here's what a know about William I"

[Jone500]

14 minutes ago, kwilco said:

"How many years have you lived in Thailand?" -  over 20

 

"Have you ever studied the Thai language?" At University and work

 

"Have you ever paid attention to the opinions of the Thai people," - I worked with Thai adults for over 20 years

 

"or do you just spend your days reading translations of Thai articles into English on forums like Aseannow?" - THe whole point is to be able to read abpout THailand and uae critical thinking skills to analyse what you are reading. You show none of this ....A lot of the good stuff is actually banned in Thailand

 

"What exactly are you talking about" - Yes! agreed it looks as if  it's gone way over your head!

 

Do you even know that, since 2011, most of the political conflicts have involved civilian governments - you clearly are unaware of the history of this conflict and how Thailand is governed.

 

You need to do a lot of reading and get up to speed...I don't think you're up to it, though

It's clear that you're changing the subject from what I was saying. You're just a daydreamer and suddenly, a soldier shows up at your door to call you in for national service.

 

Each of your words sounds like wind floating in the air. I have presented claims, but you haven’t even brought any evidence to contradict my opinions. How ignorant you are.

[BayArea]

6 hours ago, kwilco said:

What’s even more worrying is how easily the public buys into it. It’s like with Trump and Brexit.

Thank goodness we have posters like telling how naive and gullible we are.

[kwilco]

15 minutes ago, BayArea said:

Thank goodness we have posters like telling how naive and gullible we are.

You'd better believe it. Not sure you read my post, but that's a good start to complying with the stereotype. I'm not changing anything, I'm answering YOUR questions - duh!

 

[kwilco]

27 minutes ago, Jone500 said:

It's clear that you're changing the subject from what I was saying. You're just a daydreamer and suddenly, a soldier shows up at your door to call you in for national service.

 

Each of your words sounds like wind floating in the air. I have presented claims, but you haven’t even brought any evidence to contradict my opinions. How ignorant you are.

"It's clear that you're changing the subject from what I was saying." - THere's nothing clear about your post it's just a fug of confusion.

[Jone500]

9 minutes ago, kwilco said:

"It's clear that you're changing the subject from what I was saying." - THere's nothing clear about your post it's just a fug of confusion.

Oh... looks like you're one of those stubborn types. Let me tell you the truth, just for someone like you. You know what? JFK was never assassinated he's somewhere in LA. And Bin Laden is still alive, but Obama covered it up. The DNA and documents were all forged. The invasion of Iraq never happened. The Vietnam War? It was just a story made up by the communists. Saddam never invaded Kuwait.

 

Also, Hitler was actually a vegetarian and a huge animal lover he had nothing to do with World War II. Germany never invaded Poland; it was just a group of radical Catholic nationalists. Russia never invaded Ukraine that’s just Western propaganda. China never invaded Tibet or tried to take Taiwan it’s just nonsense believed by idiots.

India has never fought with Pakistan. And Thailand and Cambodia are good neighbors who've never had any conflicts. The so-called casualties were just a fabrication by nationalists trying to stir up tension.

 

I hope you understood what I just told you. Don’t get confused now read to the end.

[kwilco]

Let’s face it, if you can’t appreciate that the Thai media's reaction to the current Thai-Cambodian conflict has been in general nationalistic, sensationalist, and, in many corners, disturbingly uncritical , you are just a media patsy.. So here’s a look at the dynamics and what is revealed about the broader issues surrounding media literacy and public gullibility in Thailand – including the expats……

 

Anyone reading or watching the media in the last few days must have noticed a tsunami of jingoism over journalism. The coverage overwhelmingly portrays Thailand as the righteous victim defending its sovereignty, with Cambodia as the unmitigated aggressor, when in reality the factual situation is  far more nuanced, ambiguous or bilateral.

 

Always in these situations  the main media is state-influenced to say the least, for a start the military owns most of the TV channels and there are many other state-owned outlets (e.g., Channel 5, Thai PBS, Royal Thai Army Radio) All these readily adopt an overtly patriotic tone, mirroring government or military positions, without scrutiny or balance. There's little effort to explore Cambodian motives, context, or grievances or look at the history of international agreements in Cambodia’s favour— the narrative is reduced to "they're threatening us" with near-zero nuance.

Successive Thi governments have been able to take advantage of the  nation’s public gullibility and naïve trust in authority, which is still deeply embedded in the old Sakdina caste system. The result is a blind faith in military and monarchy-linked voices.

There is an almost obsessive compulsion not to disrupt “harmony” – a powerful way of quelling any criticism. Decades of top-down messaging have fostered a public that often equates criticism of military actions with disloyalty or disruptive. So often Thai people instinctively side with official narratives, assuming they must be protecting the nation's harmony and therefore its interests.

Education has played a major part in all this; there is no media education at all -  Thai audiences, especially outside urban centres, aren’t taught to critically evaluate news sources. This leaves them vulnerable to manipulation and misrepresentation. This also can be seen in a lot of the comments by expats on this site.

Facebook and Line groups serve as echo chambers, reinforcing this nationalist fervour. “Fake news” and misinformation spreads rapidly, and then are responded to with equally apocryphal counter-narratives by Cambodia, A lot of the international and legal angles are dismissed or censored or banned by the Thai media

 

Even on the streets of Thailand we have seen the demonization and dehumanization of Cambodia; even attacks on Cambodian people.

Thai history is to blame too  - most academic histories of Thailand are banned often under the draconian lase majeste laws Historical misrepresentation stands uncorrected for decades with old nationalist tropes such as the Preah Vihear temple dispute used to vilify Cambodia as duplicitous or inferior.

 

Loaded language is everywhere Cambodians are referred to as “encroachers,” “invaders,” or “puppets of foreign influence” (with China sometimes hinted at) This is used to create an “us vs. them” siege mentality. It is common in many countries to blame “foreigners”  or any readily identifiable group as the source of the problems – we’ve even had “Reds Under The BEDS” spy scares!

There are also many potential ulterior motives for the current situation. This sort of thing often happens at times of domestic discontent or “unrest”. Conveniently, the media-fuelled border scare comes at a time of government instability. It’s a time of economic anxiety, corruption scandals, and unpopular leadership. Nationalism becomes a tool to unify the public and distract from internal criticism.

Thailand seldom has room for dissent. Any Thai public figures or journalists who raise questions about the government’s handling of the conflict or urge restraint are branded as unpatriotic or “Cambodian sympathizers.”

What this all says about Thai Society is that it reveals the national propensity for gullibility and naivety. Their widespread acceptance of simplistic, emotional narratives shows how vulnerable parts of Thai society can be to state-led narratives and shallow nationalism.

For many years now the control of information has remained strong. Despite internet access, much of the population still consumes heavily filtered or biased content.  (nearly 200.000 web sites are blocked by the Thai government – they even considered blocking Facebook) Alternative viewpoints are not welcome especially English Language ones from independent Cambodian media, they rarely reach a mass audience.

Thailand has a dire need for critical literacy: (as does this site) The crisis exposes the urgent need for independent journalism, civic education, and platforms that foster critical thinking.

 

To sum up, the Thai media’s nationalistic coverage of the Cambodian conflict is not just biased reporting, it’s a more, it’s a window into how state-aligned narratives are absorbed, internalized, and echoed by a population raised on loyalty, not inquiry. It’s a case study in how media, when weaponized, can obscure the truth, manipulate emotions, and make the public complicit in sustaining conflict , and they don’t even realise it!
 

[Jone500]

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

Anyone reading or watching the media in the last few days must have noticed a tsunami of jingoism over journalism. The coverage overwhelmingly portrays Thailand as the righteous victim defending its sovereignty, with Cambodia as the unmitigated aggressor, when in reality the factual situation is  far more nuanced, ambiguous or bilateral.

- You act as if there is no bias against the Chinese, especially in American media or other parts of the world that try to impose the stereotype that China takes advantage of global trade everywhere. Is it really that strange that Thailand and Cambodia, being neighboring countries, would have conflicts? It's common for countries that are close to each other to have tensions.

 

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

Always in these situations  the main media is state-influenced to say the least, for a start the military owns most of the TV channels and there are many other state-owned outlets (e.g., Channel 5, Thai PBS, Royal Thai Army Radio) All these readily adopt an overtly patriotic tone, mirroring government or military positions, without scrutiny or balance. There's little effort to explore Cambodian motives, context, or grievances or look at the history of international agreements in Cambodia’s favour— the narrative is reduced to "they're threatening us" with near-zero nuance.

- I wouldn’t argue with you if the media you’re referring to were during the military coup era under General Prayut Chan-o-cha. But nowadays, many media outlets have undergone leadership changes, making them more neutral. For example, Nation TV, which was once seen as supporting dictatorship, has become more balanced after a change in management. Those who used to cheer for the regime have moved elsewhere due to ideological differences. Have you ever watched Top News? They’re ultra-nationalist and support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, blaming the U.S. I think you’ve got it wrong. Modern Thai society is more open to news and information, especially among the younger generation. Have you seen the People's Party, which used to be known as Move Forward before it was dissolved?

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

Successive Thi governments have been able to take advantage of the  nation’s public gullibility and naïve trust in authority, which is still deeply embedded in the old Sakdina caste system. The result is a blind faith in military and monarchy-linked voices.

 

- How many days has it been since you last read the news about Trump about the promises he made to the people? Has he given the American public what they wanted yet? Eggs? Oil? At this point, would Jeffrey Epstein have to come back from the dead to defend Trump? And does Elon Musk still trust him now?

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

There is an almost obsessive compulsion not to disrupt “harmony” – a powerful way of quelling any criticism. Decades of top-down messaging have fostered a public that often equates criticism of military actions with disloyalty or disruptive. So often Thai people instinctively side with official narratives, assuming they must be protecting the nation's harmony and therefore its interests.

- In both WW1 and WW2, the United States initially declared itself neutral, trying to avoid casualties and strong domestic opposition to entering the war. But when Germany sank just a few merchant ships, why did the U.S. decide to join the war? And in the case of the attack on Pearl Harbor, why wasn’t that incident simply overlooked?

Should Thailand just stay quiet if attacked, without responding at all?

Some forum members complain they couldn't sleep all night because they heard Thai artillery firing. Another said he witnessed naval operations near Koh Chang. And someone else mentioned that the 7-Eleven near his place in Sisaket shut down immediately after a rocket strike destroyed everything.

Should Thailand just let it go?

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

Education has played a major part in all this; there is no media education at all -  Thai audiences, especially outside urban centres, aren’t taught to critically evaluate news sources. This leaves them vulnerable to manipulation and misrepresentation. This also can be seen in a lot of the comments by expats on this site.

Facebook and Line groups serve as echo chambers, reinforcing this nationalist fervour. “Fake news” and misinformation spreads rapidly, and then are responded to with equally apocryphal counter-narratives by Cambodia, A lot of the international and legal angles are dismissed or censored or banned by the Thai media

- Thai education always blames everything on the Burmese. They never blame the Cambodians. Thailand, especially during the Ayutthaya period, lost to Burma twice this created a deep scar and psychological wound for Thai nationalists. Meanwhile, Cambodians view Thailand as invaders who came to raid and plunder, contributing to Cambodia’s severe decline. So, how do you think the Irish view the English as heroes or as invaders? Even Ukraine...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jone500]

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

Even on the streets of Thailand we have seen the demonization and dehumanization of Cambodia; even attacks on Cambodian people.

Thai history is to blame too  - most academic histories of Thailand are banned often under the draconian lase majeste laws Historical misrepresentation stands uncorrected for decades with old nationalist tropes such as the Preah Vihear temple dispute used to vilify Cambodia as duplicitous or inferior.

- Did Thailand lose territory because of that event? Do you think Mexicans would long for Texas after Americans stole it? I believe the government should take the case to the ICJ to demand the return of their land from the American invasion. Do you think Americans hate Mexicans? Why is there a wall then?

 

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

To sum up, the Thai media’s nationalistic coverage of the Cambodian conflict is not just biased reporting, it’s a more, it’s a window into how state-aligned narratives are absorbed, internalized, and echoed by a population raised on loyalty, not inquiry. It’s a case study in how media, when weaponized, can obscure the truth, manipulate emotions, and make the public complicit in sustaining conflict , and they don’t even realise it!

 

- That issue involves both Thais and Cambodians. Attacking uninvolved individuals is a serious wrongdoing, and I have never supported it. There are reports that Cambodians gathered to assault Thais in Poipet at gambling venues, and in response, Thais also gathered to attack uninvolved Cambodians. There were also posts displaying nationalistic symbols and flags raised over the other country.

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

Thailand seldom has room for dissent. Any Thai public figures or journalists who raise questions about the government’s handling of the conflict or urge restraint are branded as unpatriotic or “Cambodian sympathizers.”

What this all says about Thai Society is that it reveals the national propensity for gullibility and naivety. Their widespread acceptance of simplistic, emotional narratives shows how vulnerable parts of Thai society can be to state-led narratives and shallow nationalism.

- Nowadays, Thai people keep criticizing Thaksin because of his poor administration. On the other hand, if you look at the Cambodian government’s posts, you will see an astonishingly large number of likes. I think you are not looking at the problem carefully. The theory you mentioned is probably related to the interests of the Cambodian government led by Hun Sen, who is about to transfer power while ensuring that his children will not be overthrown by his right-hand man through a coup.

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

For many years now the control of information has remained strong. Despite internet access, much of the population still consumes heavily filtered or biased content.  (nearly 200.000 web sites are blocked by the Thai government – they even considered blocking Facebook) Alternative viewpoints are not welcome especially English Language ones from independent Cambodian media, they rarely reach a mass audience.

Thailand has a dire need for critical literacy: (as does this site) The crisis exposes the urgent need for independent journalism, civic education, and platforms that foster critical thinking.

 

- I think you should check out the Australian media that have expressed opinions on this issue. It seems they are very interested, as well as the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese media. Stop fooling yourselves. I believe these sources are quite credible or have accurate predictions about who is actually the aggressor. You just keep blaming Thailand in the posts I looked at. I think you’re like those who block information and try to criticize the other side but focus only on Thailand in particular.

 

 

[Jone500]

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

To sum up, the Thai media’s nationalistic coverage of the Cambodian conflict is not just biased reporting, it’s a more, it’s a window into how state-aligned narratives are absorbed, internalized, and echoed by a population raised on loyalty, not inquiry. It’s a case study in how media, when weaponized, can obscure the truth, manipulate emotions, and make the public complicit in sustaining conflict , and they don’t even realise it!

Is it because of you that you only consume Thai media? Have you ever read Cambodian media articles, or do you just spend your days hanging out with bar girls and drinking beer? Since you’re in Thailand, there are many media outlets for you to choose from, but you only focus on Thai operations. I’m not stupid. I went to check each thread and article you mentioned you specifically target only Thailand. Are you blacklisted by Thai immigration? BIGOT!!!

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, Jone500 said:

Today, Thailand makes an effort to avoid being seen as a war criminal, because it has already learned its lesson.

They might fool some people, but not all.