A Thai F-16 fighter jet launched an airstrike on a Cambodian military target on Thursday, escalating weeks of rising border tensions. According to Thai officials, one of six jets stationed near the disputed area fired at Cambodian positions after Cambodian troops allegedly attacked a Thai base with heavy artillery. Thailand has now sealed its border with Cambodia and warned of stronger defensive actions if further attacks continue.
In response, Cambodia condemned the airstrike, calling it a “reckless and brutal” violation of its sovereignty. Cambodia said two bombs were dropped on a road and accused Thailand of targeting civilian areas, including a hospital. The ongoing clashes began near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple area, where both nations claim ownership and have clashed before.
Thailand’s military claimed Cambodian forces opened fire after sending drones and troops into the disputed zone. Two Thai soldiers were injured, and artillery shells reportedly fell on civilian homes, killing two people. Officials evacuated around 40,000 residents from 86 villages in Thailand’s Surin province to safer areas as explosions continued throughout the day.
Tensions had been building since May, following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief gunfight. Recently, Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new landmines, which injured three Thai soldiers. Cambodia rejected the claims, saying the mines were leftovers from decades of war and the soldiers had strayed off agreed routes.
Adding to the political storm, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended after leaked information showed her attempt to defuse tensions with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen. Meanwhile, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stressed the need to proceed carefully and follow international law to prevent further escalation.
Although skirmishes have occurred in the past, Thursday’s airstrike marked a major turning point. With both sides blaming each other and civilians caught in the middle, international attention is growing on how quickly this border conflict could spiral into something much larger.