F-16 Jets Strike as Thailand, Cambodia Clash Over Border Dispute
Escalating Border Conflict Turns Deadly
Thai fighter jets launched retaliatory air raids using six F-16 fighter planes against Cambodian military targets on July 24, 2025, after a series of fatal border skirmishes. The air raids are the most severe escalation in the long-standing border dispute between the two Southeast Asian nations.
The Thai military asserted that one of the jets had bombed and annihilated a Cambodian military target, and other aircraft bombed strategic locations close to the Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples, hotly contested areas along the 817-km common border.
Thai authorities reported at least nine civilian fatalities, two of whom were children, and more than 14 injuries due to Cambodian rocket fire earlier that morning. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry denounced the airstrikes as “reckless and brutal military aggression” and stated Thai aircraft bombed a road outside Preah Vihear.
Facts of the Airstrike
- Attack time: Began approximately 7:35 a.m. local time
- Location: Disputed territory between Ta Moan Thom and Preah Vihear temples
- Planes and jets used: Six F-16s from Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province
- Military sites attacked: Cambodian military headquarters and supporting units
- Civilian casualties: Thai authorities have confirmed nine civilian fatalities, one of whom was a five-year-old boy; casualty figures have not been released from Cambodia
Thailand’s Deputy Defense Minister Ritcha Suksuwanon said,
“We have used air power against military targets as planned.”
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry replied
“These unlawful and irresponsible actions not only pose a grave threat to regional peace and stability but also undermine the foundation of international order.”
Historical Tensions and Political Triggers
The conflict is traced to centuries-old border disputes with roots that go back to colonial times. The Preah Vihear temple, whose border was determined by the International Court of Justice in 1962 in Cambodia’s favor, is also in contention. Thailand still asserts sovereignty over the surrounding regions around it, such as the Sa Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples.
Escalations in May 2025 occurred when one Cambodian soldier was killed in a shootout by being shot. Things worsened after landmine blasts had wounded Thai soldiers in July, leading Thailand to blame Cambodia for laying new mines—a denial Cambodia did not make.
Political instability also surrounded Thai diplomacy. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was put on hold last month amid nationalist fury over a leaked phone call made to deposed Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
Global Reactions and Diplomatic Impacts
The clash has attracted attention from international and regional organizations:
- Cambodia turned to the UN Security Council, calling Thailand’s actions a “serious threat to peace in the region” and requesting an emergency session
- Thailand cut diplomatic ties, deported the Cambodian ambassador, and pulled out its ambassador from Phnom Penh
- ASEAN has been noticeably quiet, inviting criticism for its failure to mediate effectively
- China proposed to facilitate, calling on both sides to settle through negotiations
The Phnom Penh Thai embassy has instructed nationals to evacuate Cambodia quickly, as border crossings were closed, and 40,000 civilians have been evacuated from Thai villages.
Expert View: Regional Stability in the Balance
Military analysts warn that the conflict risks destabilizing Southeast Asia’s fragile geopolitical balance. Cambodia Development Center says Cambodia’s legal approach to the ICJ indicates a preference for international arbitration rather than force, while Thailand’s military posture indicates increasing nationalism.
The Lansing Institute observes that strategic distrust and internal political pressures in both nations may produce protracted skirmishes or proxy relationships between outside powers such as China and the U.S.
"Boundaries might demarcate nations, but the prudence to avoid war demarcates statesmanship," penned researchers at the Institute of Internationalization and ASEAN Studies.
What’s Next?
Both sides are still dug in despite calls for restraint. Cambodia has reinstated its draft law on military service, while Thailand has approved full combat preparedness along the border.
Diplomatic talks have stalled, and Cambodia’s reference to the ICJ may take months to conclude. Unless the UN or ASEAN can facilitate a ceasefire, individuals are concerned about increased escalation.
Meanwhile, the world breathes in anticipation as two longstanding enemies edge closer to a full-blown war.
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