Why has war broken out between Cambodia and Thailand?
Rights — di Luigi Mastrodonato
In recent hours there have been rocket launches and aerial bombardments between Cambodia and Thailand, which are disputing several border territories.
Why has war broken out between Cambodia and Thailand?
In recent hours there have been rocket launches and aerial bombardments between Cambodia and Thailand, which are disputing several border territories.
- The rivalry between Cambodia and Thailand originates from a border demarcation drawn up in 1907 by the French colonial power.
- Since last May tensions have flared up again, with numerous street protests in Thailand.
- On 24 July the situation deteriorated sharply, raising fears of a military escalation.
In the early hours of 24 July there were clashes between the armies of Thailand and Cambodia. The latter reportedly launched a series of rockets against Thailand, also striking a hospital, while aerial bombardments were carried out over Cambodia. The initial toll on the Thai side stands at 11 dead.
The tensions between the two countries have deep-rooted origins dating back to the early twentieth century, centring on a series of disputed territories and temples along the border line. In recent months the tension had flared up again, ultimately leading to the suspension of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, accused of adopting an overly friendly and familiar tone with the de facto Cambodian premier.
BREAKING: 🔴
Cambodia has launched an attack on the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Thailand as clashes intensify between Cambodian and Thai forces.
Cambodia has launched an attack on the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Thailand as clashes intensify between Cambodian and Thai forces.
Over a century of tensions
The rivalry between Cambodia and Thailand has very deep historical roots. The border dispute dates back to as far as 1907, when a map drawn up under French colonial rule in Cambodia left room for ambiguous interpretations, leading Thailand to contest the borders. The issue was never fully resolved, and between 2008 and 2011 there were intermittent armed clashes, culminating in 2011 with a week of violence that caused at least 15 deaths and thousands of displaced people.
In May 2025 the situation deteriorated once again, with the death of a Cambodian soldier in a border clash. This episode caused a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations, and in mid-June Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a telephone conversation with Hun Sen, de facto leader of Cambodia. In the days that followed, however, a recording of the phone call circulated in which Shinawatra addressed Hun Sen in a very familiar and friendly manner. The Thai people considered this disrespectful towards the country's history, and there were numerous street protests.
On 1 July the Thai Constitutional Court suspended Shinawatra from office following a petition filed by several senators, who accused her of having violated ethical standards in her handling of relations with Cambodia.
New clashes between Cambodia and Thailand
In the early hours of 24 July there were armed clashes along the border between Cambodia and Thailand, after the explosion of a landmine wounded several Thai soldiers. Both countries accused the other of having fired first.
Tensions flared in an area near the ancient temple of Ta Muen Thom, which Cambodia calls Tamone Thom and is one of many disputed temples. According to initial reports, the Cambodian army launched a series of rockets into Thai territory, while Thailand carried out aerial bombardments using its military jets. So far only Thailand has provided a provisional casualty count, with 11 dead, dozens wounded and thousands of displaced people. Bangkok accused the Cambodian army of having struck a hospital, while Cambodia accused Thailand of having bombed civilian targets.
Both countries have expelled each other's ambassadors, and Thailand has also closed its border crossings with Cambodia. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa accused Cambodia of having placed landmines on the border and of having opened fire on Thai soldiers. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, accusing Thailand of having attacked his country. As highlighted to CNN by Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, the conflict could worsen in the coming days.