Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) claimed that its soldiers had attempted to reason with their Cambodian counterparts on Thursday morning to avoid a gun battle. However, their warnings were ignored by the other side, leaving them with no option but to return fire. Cambodian soldiers, reportedly armed with heavy weapons, including artillery and rocket launchers, allegedly used them to target civilian establishments along the Thai border, the NSC claimed.
The Royal Thai Army has condemned Cambodia over the landmine incident at Chong An Ma, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani, that injured 5 soldiers, 1 severely. The Army has prepared under the "Chakraphong Phuwanat" plan. This violates international humanitarian principles. pic.twitter.com/7xG1mlNmG5
— PR Thai Government (@prdthailand) July 23, 2025
Meanwhile, Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence stated that it was the Thai soldiers who "pre-emptively" opened fire on its men. Initially, they fired a few rounds into the air but soon targeted Cambodian positions, forcing their troops to fire back in an act of self-defence. Amidst the ongoing tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours, Thailand has confirmed 12 casualties, mostly civilians, while Cambodia has not released any information on the damages it suffered. As the conflict remains unresolved, here are five latest updates from the conflict zone between the two neighbouring countries:
1. Four wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks in Thailand will be opened for military use. Quoting Thailand's national parks director general and local media, the BBC claimed that these protected forests would be used by the Thai military to plan counter-attacks on Cambodia.
2. Thailand reported that one of its US-made F-16 fighter jet managed to destroy a Cambodian military target. The Thai army added that several more jets were ready to be deployed, according to The Guardian.
3. Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai, told a press conference that the country has not declared war on Cambodia and the conflict was not spreading into more provinces.
4. Earlier, Phumtham Wechayachai's military leaders had confirmed the shutting of all border checkpoints with Cambodia and fighting ongoing at six different locations. According to Phnom Penh, two Cambodian provinces have been shelled by Thailand.
5. Both Thailand and Cambodia maintain that they did not fire the first shot. Bangkok accused Cambodian soldiers of having opened fire near the Preah Vihear Temple. They then deployed a surveillance drone and advanced their troops. These men were armed with heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, The Guardian reported Thailand as saying. Cambodia has refuted these allegations, accusing the Thai military of launching the first armed assault.
