ไทย
The Thai-Cambodian border situation has returned to a worrying point after Thai soldiers stepped on two landmines laid by Cambodia in close proximity, leading to clashes along the border between the two countries.
In the accident of Thai soldiers injured by stepping on landmines placed by Cambodian forces in the Chong Bok border area in Ubon Ratchathani Province on July 16th, causing one soldier to lose his ankle, and a week later, a repeat incident occurred at Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani Province, in which five soldiers were injured by a bomb and one soldier lost his right leg. This led to military retaliation, downgrading diplomatic relations with Cambodia, and escalating to clashes.
- On the evening of July 23, 2025, at 4:55 p.m., a Thai patrol stepped on a landmine near Huai Bon, Chong An Ma, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, resulting in 5 Thai soldiers being injured, 1 of whom was in serious condition. All soldiers were taken to Sapphasitthiprasong Camp Hospital.
– At 6:20 PM, Lt. Gen. Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of the Second Army Region, escalated countermeasures by closing four checkpoints: Chong Anma, Chong Sangam, Chong Chom, and Chong Sai Taku, along with two tourist attractions: Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Prasat Ta Kwai, effective July 24th.
– At 6:40 PM, the Royal Thai Army issued a statement strongly condemning Cambodia’s attempted landmine planting in the Chong An Ma border area of Ubon Ratchathani Province. The statement stated that the act was inhumane and violated international humanitarian principles and international agreements. The statement called on Cambodia to take responsibility.
The incident caused General Pana Klaewplodthuk, the Army Commander, to order the First and Second Army Areas, which are responsible for the Thai-Cambodian border area, to prepare to use the “Chakrabongse Phuwanat” plan, which was used in the 2011 Khao Phra Wihan operation, to solve the border problems.
– At 7:20 PM, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, acting as Prime Minister, ordered a downgrade of Thai-Cambodian diplomatic relations, including recalling the Thai ambassador and expelling the Cambodian ambassador. He also ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to submit a formal protest to Cambodia.
– At 9:59 p.m., the Cambodian Ministry of Defense’s Facebook page posted a statement by General Malee Suchada, Deputy Minister and spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia, denying the baseless accusations of the Thai side regarding the injuries of five Thai soldiers from a landmine explosion in Cambodian territory.
He added that Cambodia had warned Thailand on several occasions that these areas were littered with landmines left over from the war and urged Thailand to avoid actions that violated the joint agreement on the use of patrol routes as per the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding.
Late last night, it was reported that Cambodia had mobilized a large number of troops to the frontline border after the Thai army announced its readiness for operations.
Meanwhile, Fresh News reported that in response to Thailand’s decision, the Cambodian government has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level and ordered all Cambodian diplomatic staff stationed at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok to return home, stating that the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh must also take the same action.
– On the morning of July 24, 2025, the Royal Thai Army reported via Facebook that the incident began at 7:35 a.m. when soldiers guarding the Ta Muen temple area reported hearing the sound of a Cambodian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) circling in front of Ta Muen Thom temple. Although the aircraft could not be detected visually, the sound was clearly heard.
Later, the Cambodian side brought weapons into the position in front of the barbed wire and found 6 Cambodian soldiers, fully armed, including RPGs, walking close to the barbed wire in front of the Thai operations base. The Thai side used shouted negotiations to avoid conflict. The Thai side kept watch along the border to prepare for the situation.
– At approximately 8:20 a.m., the Cambodian side opened fire in an area opposite the operational base to the east of Prasat Ta Muen, at a distance of approximately 200 meters.
In the clash this morning, Lt. General Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Region, and Maj. Gen. Sompop Pharawet, Commander of the Suranaree Task Force, personally took command of the battle after Cambodian soldiers opened fire at the Wild Boar base, 200 meters from the Ta Muen temple area.
Meanwhile, General Pana Klaewplodthuk, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, traveled to the frontlines and personally participated in combat operations, visiting and offering moral support to soldiers and the injured.
– At 9:20 a.m., two military personnel were injured by support weapons in the area of Prasat Ta Muen, Surin Province.
– At 9:40 a.m., the Kab Choeng District Chief of Surin Province revealed that two villagers were injured and two were killed when Cambodia fired a BM-21 rocket into the middle of the village. The latest update is that 30,000-40,000 people have been evacuated to shelters, while the Royal Thai Army condemned the Cambodian side’s actions in using weapons to attack civilian targets within the Thai border.
– At 10:00 a.m., reporters reported that there were six areas where clashes occurred: Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Kwai, Chong Bok, Khao Phra Wihan (Huai Ta Maria/Phu Makhuea), Chong An Ma, and Chong Chom.
– At 11:00 a.m., six Royal Thai Air Force F-16 aircraft were sent to support the Army’s ground operations in protecting the sovereignty of the Thai-Cambodian border. They used high-precision aircraft weapons to attack the Cambodian military’s heavy weapons installations at the 8th Support Division Headquarters and the 9th Support Division Brigade. It was confirmed that after the 20-minute air operation, all six F-16s returned to their base safely.
– At 11:40 a.m., Thai military personnel destroyed the cable car and stairs leading up to Phu Makhuea, Sisaket Province.
– At 11:54 a.m., Cambodian soldiers attacked Phnom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin Province, injuring several people. Hospital staff moved inpatients out of the hospital as per evacuation procedures. Patients are now in the green zone, which is considered safe.
– At 12:30 PM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued its strongest condemnation of Cambodia for planting landmines in Thai territory and attacking Thai civilian targets, particularly hospitals, and stated that the government was ready to raise its self-defense level if Cambodia did not cease its attacks.
– At 1:18 PM, the Kantharalak District Chief of Sisaket Province revealed that Cambodia fired BM-21 shells at a PTT gas station in Ban Phue, resulting in the deaths of seven people. The incident occurred 20 kilometers from the border.
All Thai personnel are safe, and the situation remains under close control. The Royal Thai Army is committed to peaceful solutions and values the strong relationship with Cambodia, coordinating cooperation at all levels to maintain border stability and peace for the people of both countries.
“The army urges the media and public to rely on official information sources and refrain from sharing unverified images or details, which could cause misunderstandings or harm bilateral relations.
Read more at: https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/354596