I must admit, I did not have the border between Cambodia and Thailand as a “hot spot” of potential military activity on my 2025 Bingo card.
But this is 2025, so here we are.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia began with a deadly exchange of gunfire near a historic temple.
The battle killed at least two Cambodian soldiers and wounded three others, according to Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry. Five Thai soldiers were wounded, the Thai army said.Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said Thai soldiers were peacefully patrolling their own territory along the border when Cambodian soldiers shot at them with rocket propelled grenades and submachine guns.Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry accused Thai troops of launching “heavy armed attacks” at three different locations to push back Cambodians from positions inside Cambodian territory.The fighting was the latest flare-up in a decades-old dispute over a stretch of jungle near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple. The World Court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but sovereignty over surrounding land has never been clearly resolved.
I will simply point out that “the World Court” is formally known as the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ). So, once again, a UN plan appears to be full of fail. I have to wonder if the ICJ will now issue a ‘strongly worded letter‘ to Thailand. But, I digress.
After clashes went into the second day, Thailand’s acting prime minister warned that the border dispute “could develop into war”.
“The situation has intensified and could develop into war,” Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, told reporters. “For now, it’s just clashes using heavy weaponry.”Later in the evening, the Thai Army announced that it had killed nearly 100 Cambodian soldiers near a temple that both countries claim. The Cambodian government declined to comment on the announcement, the details of which The New York Times could not verify independently.Thailand on Friday declared martial law effective immediately in eight districts that abut Cambodia. Civilians on both sides of the border ran for shelter as gunshots and artillery fire rang out through the day.
The temple territory at the center of this clash, Preah Vihear, is an ancient Khmer Hindu temple complex in the Dangrek Mountains.
Situated on the edge of a plateau that dominates the plain of Cambodia, the Temple of Preah Vihear is dedicated to Shiva. The Temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800 metre long axis and dates back to the first half of the 11th century AD. Nevertheless, its complex history can be traced to the 9th century, when the hermitage was founded. This site is particularly well preserved, mainly due to its remote location. The site is exceptional for the quality of its architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation.
A review of social media suggests the Thais don’t believe the site is particularly valued by the Cambodians.
It should be noted that this May, there was a similar Cambodia–Thailand clash over another Khmer temple along the border (Prasat Ta Muen Thom). During one battle, a Cambodian soldier was killed.
As we head into the weekend, it appears that tensions are increasing substantially.
Fighting re-erupted before dawn on Friday, with clashes reported in 12 locations, up from six on Thursday, according to Thailand’s military. It accused Cambodia of using artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rockets to attack areas that included schools and hospitals.”These barbaric acts have senselessly claimed lives and inflicted injuries upon numerous innocent civilians,” it said.”The deliberate targeting of civilians is a war crime and those responsible must be brought to justice.”It put the blame squarely on the Phnom Penh government, which it said was being steered by Hun Sen, influential former premier of nearly four decades and father of Hun Manet.
Presently, the weapons systems and the numbers favor the Thais:
Bolstered by years of US support, the Royal Thai Air Force is well equipped, with at least 11 modern Swedish Gripen fighter jets and dozens of older, US-made F-16 and F-5 jets, according to the IISS. Cambodia has no combat-capable air force to speak of.On the ground, Thailand has dozens of battle tanks, including 60 modern, Chinese-made VT-4 tanks, and hundreds of older, US-made tanks. Cambodia has about 200 old Chinese- and Soviet-made tanks, the “Military Balance” shows.The Thai army boasts more than 600 artillery pieces, including at least 56 powerful 155mm weapons and more than 550 105mm towed guns. Cambodia has only a dozen 155mm guns with around 400 smaller towed artillery pieces, according to IISS figures.In the air, the army has US-made Cobra attack helicopters as well as 18 US Black Hawk transports. Cambodia has only a few dozen older Soviet and Chinese transport helicopters.
Hopefully, a path to peace is available. It would probably be better for both nations and the rest of the world if the United Nations were not involved in the resolution of this crisis.
Meanwhile, it looks like 2025 will continue to surprise. I am going to have to look over my bingo card again.
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