2 hours ago, trainee wombat said:

More likely America

Kindly explain.

22 hours ago, Artisi said:

What is of interest is, why does Cambodia keep rattling the chain, there is no way they could ever defeat Thailand, Cambodia would certainly give Thailand a good run for their money and probably inflict a lot of damage - - what why?.

There is nothing in it for them, possibly there is/are  (some) dark force/s involved using Cambodia to their own end. 

 

Any thoughts? 

Bear poking syndrome.

 

Both economies will suffer, and tourism will take a dip

On 12/10/2025 at 10:45 AM, ikke1959 said:

Thailand masters of destruction... if it is business, tourists, and now the country's name... In a while we will read it was not the inetention, it was a misunderstanding, but as we can see in the article Thailand is much bigger than Cambodia. Why be proud to destroy a lot for a few metres of land and a temple. If I was Cambodia I would not attack Thailand but I would destroy the temple.. I know it is heritage, but in past by earthquakes and nature and wars, many of the old buildings were destroyed.. So destroy what is making problems and everybody is happy. No dispute anymore of what is whose. Every death caused by this conflict is one too much... It is not fair to kill 15 for 1

I agree with you that even 1 death is 1 too much. 1 death is untold suffering to all loved ones, friends and family. Children orphaned. War is hell. Peace and goodwill to you for the holidays my friend.

4 hours ago, riverhigh said:

At my coffee shop, I know two old Thai guys who use to be a sous chefs in Cambodia. Both had to leave because of the Thai-Cambodia conflict.  As my Thai language skills are basic at best I don't know there situataion. My only observation is that wars seem to affect the most financially vulnerable. 

As is usually the case worldwide. It's nearly always the poor and infirm who suffer from the actions of their "leaders" who are comfortably remote from the actual fighting.

 

Also, something I take from the OP is that with Cambodia's non-existent air power at least the conflict will (should) be confined to border areas rather than towns across Thailand.

Having said that, I wonder what Cambodia's 1500-strong air force  does with no fighter aircraft? Helicopters? Surely not bombers??

34 minutes ago, VBF said:

As is usually the case worldwide. It's nearly always the poor and infirm who suffer from the actions of their "leaders" who are comfortably remote from the actual fighting.

 

Also, something I take from the OP is that with Cambodia's non-existent air power at least the conflict will (should) be confined to border areas rather than towns across Thailand.

Having said that, I wonder what Cambodia's 1500-strong air force  does with no fighter aircraft? Helicopters? Surely not bombers??

According to globalmilitary.net
 

The Royal Cambodian Air Force (RCAF) is a small and lightly equipped air arm primarily oriented towards domestic security missions. Its formal structure places it under the Ministry of National Defence, with a command staff consisting of a commander and four deputies. The force's headquarters and primary maintenance facilities are located at Pochentong Air Base, co-located with Phnom Penh International Airport. Operational squadrons, mainly comprising helicopters and a VIP transport flight, are based at Pochentong and Siem Reap International Airport.

 

The RCAF's operational capabilities are centered on its helicopter and light transport assets. The transport helicopter fleet, composed of Mi-8/Mi-17 and Z-9 helicopters, provides the military with troop transport, logistical support, and medical evacuation capabilities. The fixed-wing inventory fulfills VIP and general transport duties. The force's strategic doctrine is inwardly focused, prioritizing support for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in maintaining internal stability and contributing to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. It does not possess the assets for significant air-to-air combat or power projection beyond its borders. The RCAF lacks modern fighter aircraft and a sophisticated air defense network, placing it at a considerable disadvantage compared to larger neighboring air forces.

 

Past modernisation efforts have included the acquisition of Chinese Z-9 helicopters. A significant future step in its development is the planned procurement of L-39NG light combat aircraft from the Czech Republic. This acquisition aims to restore a jet combat capability that has been dormant since its force of MiG-21s was grounded. The RCAF also operates several L-39C training aircraft, though their operational availability is reportedly hampered by a lack of spare parts.

In the past some MiG-21bis, L-39C Albatros, J-6C, MiG-17F, J-5, MiG-15UTI and CM.170R Magister were operational. These aircraft have been parked for years on the ground in Phnom Penh International Airport. All fighter planes are no longer operational.

On 12/10/2025 at 10:45 AM, ikke1959 said:

Thailand masters of destruction... if it is business, tourists, and now the country's name... In a while we will read it was not the inetention, it was a misunderstanding, but as we can see in the article Thailand is much bigger than Cambodia. Why be proud to destroy a lot for a few metres of land and a temple. If I was Cambodia I would not attack Thailand but I would destroy the temple.. I know it is heritage, but in past by earthquakes and nature and wars, many of the old buildings were destroyed.. So destroy what is making problems and everybody is happy. No dispute anymore of what is whose. Every death caused by this conflict is one too much... It is not fair to kill 15 for 1

Instead, Cambodia attacked a hospital (the same one as they did before)

32 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

According to globalmilitary.net
 

The Royal Cambodian Air Force (RCAF) is a small and lightly equipped air arm primarily oriented towards domestic security missions. Its formal structure places it under the Ministry of National Defence, with a command staff consisting of a commander and four deputies. The force's headquarters and primary maintenance facilities are located at Pochentong Air Base, co-located with Phnom Penh International Airport. Operational squadrons, mainly comprising helicopters and a VIP transport flight, are based at Pochentong and Siem Reap International Airport.

 

The RCAF's operational capabilities are centered on its helicopter and light transport assets. The transport helicopter fleet, composed of Mi-8/Mi-17 and Z-9 helicopters, provides the military with troop transport, logistical support, and medical evacuation capabilities. The fixed-wing inventory fulfills VIP and general transport duties. The force's strategic doctrine is inwardly focused, prioritizing support for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in maintaining internal stability and contributing to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. It does not possess the assets for significant air-to-air combat or power projection beyond its borders. The RCAF lacks modern fighter aircraft and a sophisticated air defense network, placing it at a considerable disadvantage compared to larger neighboring air forces.

 

Past modernisation efforts have included the acquisition of Chinese Z-9 helicopters. A significant future step in its development is the planned procurement of L-39NG light combat aircraft from the Czech Republic. This acquisition aims to restore a jet combat capability that has been dormant since its force of MiG-21s was grounded. The RCAF also operates several L-39C training aircraft, though their operational availability is reportedly hampered by a lack of spare parts.

In the past some MiG-21bis, L-39C Albatros, J-6C, MiG-17F, J-5, MiG-15UTI and CM.170R Magister were operational. These aircraft have been parked for years on the ground in Phnom Penh International Airport. All fighter planes are no longer operational.

Thank you 👍

My guess wasn't far out then.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

It would appear this is being caused by one very reckless old man. Hun Sen. He is a former Pol Pot officer, responsible for countless deaths, pillaging land from poor villagers, stealing billions in the process, and running the nation like a dictatorship. He appointed his son to take over, so the family could maintain their multi billion dollar franchise. Elections are totally rigged, and he has his political opponents assassinated at will. He had Chea Vichea killed, as he was a union leader asking for fair compensation for garment workers.

 

Now, it appears he may be losing his mind, and this could be some sort of final act of desperation. He is a madman, no doubt. And this time he is in way, way over his head. 

 

 

 

Just now, geisha said:

 

Hun S’en is one very wicked man,I know from having worked with Cambodians all my life. He is especially mad at the moment dur to the borders being closed, and the thousands  of Cambodians forced to go home to their poor families. 
He belongs in the Pol Pot category of leaders.. unlike many leaders, his only fortune comes from robbing his own country and people blind. 
Scam centers in the process of being closed down, casinos, closed borders, and less tourists. This is the reason for him pushing ahead, he’s angry. He won’t give up easily. 

19 hours ago, FlorC said:

Here is a much better one :

 

If only it was sharp and readible

I know nothing about warfare, and very nothing about military drones, what I know beingn based on media reports. mainly from Russia/Ukraine, over the last 3 years. Nevertheless I will make a few observations, and those of you who know will please correct any errors.

Yesterday @Burma Bill posted a picture from a Khmer newspaper of two buses which had been shot at, with a report saying that the Khmer army was saying the Thai military used drones to attack the buses at around midnight. The buses looked as if the had been shot with a machine gun. I have seen photos of Iranian built UAVs, or kamikaze drones, which look like small windowless aircraft with a delta wing. They could be fittend with bombs and flown to impact targets, but couldn't possible manage a machine gun. I have seen video of Ukrainian troops using reconnaissance drones, helicopted style, to identfy targets which can then be attacked by artillery. It would appear that drones big enough to carry a machine gun are available, bt expensive, and then would be very vulnerable as a single shot would take them out. My suspicion is that the Khmer militray got a couple of old buses, shot a few holes in them, and used the as propaganda to raise nationalstic fervour against Thailand to justify what is going on.

At the same time, we have seen from the Russia/Ukraine conflict, that both sides have sophisticated air defence systems, so do not generally risk fighter aircraft over foreign airspace. Thye use multiple drones and missiles to try to dfefat the air defence systems by numbers. By way of contract, the RTAF has flown pre-emptive missions into Cambodia, which would appear to be a significant escalation, They have also taken out a casino which they say was a drone headquarters. What sort of drones do the Khmer military have which can be operated from such a building at that distance from the combat zone? It would not appear to be a likely base for controlling reconnaissance drones, so was it just an excuse to get rid of a casino?

Not too long a ago I saw some footage of a Thai made UAV undergoing testing, but it did not appear to be combat ready.

As far as I can tell, the two sides each have their own maps, which are different, so there will never be agreement on where the border is. The Thais were, in a way, tricked by the French Colonials, Captain Bertrand in particular, into agreeing a border drawn on maps which was not where it had been agreed that it should be, but they failed to pick it up at the time. During the Pol Pot troubles, Khmer refugees were accommodated in the border strip, agreed by King Rama 9, and it saeems that some have lived there long enough that they have come to think of it as Khmer territory. My good lady tells me that Thaksin agreed some deal with Hun Sen, for how much she didn't say, to increase the width of that border strip and extend its western end out into the Gulf. That gives him access to some O&G rserves, and she suggests that he has already sold the rights and been paid. Quite possibly the Thai military are trying to retain Thailand's rights to that O&G.

All very messy, and not likely to be ended soon.

3 hours ago, Travel Dude said:

If only it was sharp and readible

The image was sharp.

Somehow uploading it here blured it.

 

On 12/10/2025 at 1:21 PM, Artisi said:

Any thoughts?

Suspect the PRC is exploiting an opportunity to menace.

7 hours ago, geisha said:

Hun S’en is one very wicked man,I know from having worked with Cambodians all my life. He is especially mad at the moment dur to the borders being closed, and the thousands  of Cambodians forced to go home to their poor families. 
He belongs in the Pol Pot category of leaders.. unlike many leaders, his only fortune comes from robbing his own country and people blind. 
Scam centers in the process of being closed down, casinos, closed borders, and less tourists. This is the reason for him pushing ahead, he’s angry. He won’t give up easily. 

What do you expect from a former Khmer Rouge coward who defected to the Viet side once he found out his party of fanatics would be eliminated when VN decided to invade Cambodia. the man is a 2 face scum who sole interest is about himself and Cambodia is a just a pawn for him. how he has remained in power all these decades is a true testament to his manipulative prowess and absolute control over a weak, poor and battered nation.  

Some historical background:

 

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/old-borders-new-battles-thailand-cambodia-and-unfinished-war