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Thai-Cambodian border clashes: what we know Thai-Cambodian border clashes: what we know This is an ongoing story. Check back later for updates A firefight broke out this morning (24 July) near Ta Muen Temple, said the Thai Army. There have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. The Army posted on its Facebook page that units stationed near the temple said they heard the sound of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which it believed to have been from Cambodia, hovering near the front of the temple. Although the units could not see the UAV, the sound was audible. The Army claimed that Cambodian troops then advanced towards the barbed wire fence near the Thai operating base with weapons. Six fully armed Cambodian soldiers, including one with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), approached the fence. Thai troops shouted warnings to avoid escalating the situation, the Army said, noting that they are maintaining border surveillance. The Thai Army also said that Cambodian troops opened fire from around 200 metre east of the Thai operating base at Ta Muen temple. However, according to Khmer Times, Cambodian Ministry of Defense Spokesperson Mali Socheata said that the Thai military launched an assault on Cambodian forces, who returned fire in response to an “unprovoked incursion.” Thai and Cambodian troops continued to clash along the borders. The 2nd Army Region said that BM-21 rockets were fired at Prasat Don Tual in Si Saket and a village in Surin’s Karb Choaeng district, and that Cambodian troops advanced towards Ta Kwai temple in Surin. At around 10.50, the 2nd Army Region said that 6 F-16 fighter jets were deployed from Ubon Ratchathani and conducted an air strike against two Cambodian military targets. It did not say, however, where these targets were. At 11.30, the 2nd Army Region posted a video clip showing a fire at the Seven-Eleven store in a gas station in Si Saket’s Kantharalak district. It said that the damage was due to a BM-21 rocket fired by Cambodia. There were also reports of an artillery strike on the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin. No casualty has been reported. Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, said at a press conference around 12.00 today (24 July) that clashes occurred in at least 6 areas following this morning’s clash at Ta Muen temple. He also said that all border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodian borders have been closed. The Thai Army issued a statement at around 1.50 condemning Cambodia’s attack on Thai civilians and that Thailand stands ready to defend its sovereignty and citizens. According to the Army, 9 people have been killed across four provinces, including an 8-year-old boy killed after an artillery shell landed in a village in Surin’s Karb Choeng district. 14 were injured. Of this number, 6 were killed at the petrol station in Kantharalak, where 10 were injured. Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns attack On Thursday (24 July), the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued four key messages in its official statement in response to the recent Thailand-Cambodia situation. The Thai government condemns Cambodia in the strongest terms the violations of Thailand’s sovereignty and international law, following the laying of anti-personnel landmines within Thai territory that caused injuries to Thai military personnel and firing heavy artillery into the Thai military base on 24 July. Due to the severity of the situation, Cambodia apparently intended to act against Thailand, the Thai Government has decided to downgrade diplomatic ties and recall its ambassador to Cambodia, as well as requests the Cambodian government to recall its Ambassador to Thailand. The Thai government urges Cambodia to cease its repeated act which constitutes a severe violation of international law. Such actions fundamentally contradict the principles of good neighborly relations and will further undermine Cambodia's reputation and credibility on the global stage. The Thai government called on Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents, cease attacks against civilian and military targets, and stop all actions that violate Thailand’s sovereignty. The Thai government is also prepared to intensify self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack. Cambodia downgrades diplomatic ties with Thailand Khmer Times reported that the Cambodian government has announced its decision to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Thailand “to the lowest level” in response to Thailand’s decision to reduce ties with Cambodia. According to Khmer Times, Cambodia is reducing diplomatic ties to the level of Second Charge d’Affairs. All Cambodian diplomatic staff at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok have been ordered to return home, while Thailand has been instructed to arrange the departure of its diplomatic personnel from Cambodia. Thailand announced its decision to reduce ties with Cambodia last night (23 July), after five military personnel were injured by landmines along the Thai-Cambodian borders. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that Thailand is recalling its ambassador to Cambodia, and will expel Cambodia’s ambassador from Thailand. The 2nd Army Region also announced the closure of four border crossings in Surin, Sri Saket, and Buriram, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, as well as tourist attractions — the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples. The order is effective from Thursday (24 July). The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh is recommending that Thai nationals staying or visiting Cambodia leave the country as soon as possible, and to refrain from traveling to Cambodia unless absolutely necessary. eng editor 1 Thu, 2025-07-24 - 15:12 * News * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * Thai-Cambodia relation http://dlvr.it/TM55cX