Only a year ago, Cambodia and Thailand marked a new era in their relations with the opening of a permanent border crossing point at the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge. The ceremony marked a new beginning in the frequently tense relationship between the two Southeast Asian neighbours — one both governments greeted warmly. But as of July 2025, the scene is vastly different.
The border area around the ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear has become a battleground, with fatal confrontations killing more than 10 soldiers and civilians. With rocket firings, landmines, and even air bombardments using F-16 fighter jets being reported, what was once referred to as a “historic friendship” is now on the brink of all-out war.
The Spark: A Landmine and a Death
Hostilities rose in May when a landmine blast wounded seriously several Thai soldiers on patrol close to the Emerald Triangle, a disputed border region claimed by both countries. The violence worsened after a Cambodian soldier was reportedly slain during an angry battle with Thai troops.
This was followed by a tumultuous decline in relations. Cambodia was accused by Thailand’s military of intentionally ratcheting up tensions, and Phnom Penh said its sovereignty was being infringed. In incendiary speeches, ex-Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen — still greatly influential in politics — threatened retaliation, labeling Thai behavior “provocative” and “dangerous.”
Historical Dispute: The Ghosts of Colonial Cartography
The root of the conflict is a century-old territorial contest over the territory surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple, a 1,000-year-old Hindu temple of Lord Shiva. Even though the International Court of Justice (ICJ) favored Cambodia in its 1962 verdict that awarded the temple to it, it did not definitively mark off the surrounding territory — creating an area of uncertainty that has fueled hostilities ever since.
This area, commonly known as the “Emerald Triangle,” is still in dispute, with each country laying claim to overlapping territories. The tension is not new — there were fatal clashes in 2008, 2011, and 2013, with each dispute causing dozens of fatalities and involving international intervention. None of these disputes, however, reached the proportion seen today in 2025.
Current Situation: Rocket Strikes and Air Power
Over the last week, satellite imagery and ground reports validate that Cambodian troops have moved BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers closer to the Preah Vihear province. Citing reports, these artillery units are said to have been employed during retaliatory attacks following encounters of Thai spy drones over Cambodian airspace.
Thailand, on the other hand, has deployed F-16 fighter aircraft to patrol its air space along the border. Thai military officials assert that the flights are “purely defensive,” but ground witnesses have described bombing missions aimed at Cambodian military units in the forests.
The exact number of casualties is difficult to verify, but preliminary reports indicate that at least 10 people — both civilians and soldiers — have lost their lives, with dozens more injured or displaced.
Civilian Toll and Regional Instability
Neighboring villages have been evacuated as concerns over the extended military stalemate increase. Humanitarian agencies have complained of the situation, calling for the two governments to provide humanitarian corridors and permit medical assistance.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been quiet so far, although there is a concerted behind-the-scenes diplomatic effort believed to be in progress. The United Nations has appealed for “immediate de-escalation” and has offered to mediate — but neither Bangkok nor Phnom Penh has made a formal request for UN intervention.
The Political Angle: Power Dynamics in Phnom Penh
Even after resigning in 2023, Hun Sen is still Cambodia’s most influential leader, keeping the strings in his hands. His successor and son, Hun Manet, has attempted to take on a more diplomatic mantle — but hardliners within the Cambodian military seem galvanized by Hun Sen’s recent addresses, in which he described Thailand’s position as a “deliberate insult” to Cambodian sovereignty.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is under pressure domestically from opposition leaders and nationalist groups to react forcefully. This domestic political context has made him especially reluctant to move toward de-escalation, as both are concerned about being perceived as soft domestically.
International Reaction: Quiet Concern
International powers up to now have adopted a guarded stance. The United States, with a close military relationship with Thailand, has called for restraint. China, with a significant investment in Cambodia under its Belt and Road Initiative, has requested “mutual respect of territorial sovereignty.” India, which has cultural and diplomatic connections with both nations, has offered to mediate but has not taken sides.
Experts predict that if the crisis is not brought under control in the near future, it may destabilize the whole Mekong region — disrupting trade, tourism, and cross-border infrastructural projects.
What Happens Next?
The likelihood of a full-fledged war is remote but not impossible. Both Thailand and Cambodia are economically and culturally interwoven deeply, and neither has much to gain from an extended conflict. But national ego, historical grudges, and ultra-right politics have made the situation explosive.
Both armies are for the moment on high alert, and any false move — another landmine, a crashed plane, or even a misunderstood radio message — might lead to increased tensions.
The world holds its breath as two “friends” who exchanged handshakes only last year now point weapons at each other, with a thousand-year-old temple standing silently between them — a testament to shared history, and now, a source of shared sorrow.
