Thailand launched airstrikes against Cambodian forces along their disputed border after troops exchanged fire in a dramatic eruption of tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

Cambodian media reported ongoing exchanges of fire around the ancient Ta Moan and Ta Krabei temples. The first reports of fighting emerged at the Ta Muen Thom temple. All sit along the disputed territorial line.

Thailand accused Cambodian troops of firing first
Cambodia says troops acted in self-defense after Thai incursion
First clash broke out near Ta Muen Thom temple at disputed border
Landmines dispute led up to conflict
Thailand said its F-16 jets bombed two military headquarters
At least 10 civilians killed, Thailand says

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The Thai army shared video and images of some of the damage it says was caused by Cambodian artillery fire, including to a gas station and people's homes.

Two images of some of the impact on civilian areas that the Thai army said came from Cambodian artillery strikes at the border. Royal Thai Army

After hostilities broke out, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote to the Pakistani president of the UN Security Council calling for him to convene an urgent meeting.

"Cambodia condemns in the strongest terms and expresses its profound indignation over the unprovoked and premeditated military aggression by the Kingdom of Thailand's armed forces," the letter said, accusing Thailand of violating international law and the UN Charter.

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok has responded to the border clashes.

"The Embassy is receiving reports today, July 24, of fighting, including rocket and artillery fire, between Cambodian and Thai forces along the border," the embassy said in a post on Facebook.

"There are reports of casualties and the Thai government is ordering the evacuation of certain areas.

"U.S. citizens living or traveling near the Thailand-Cambodia border should follow direction from Thai security services and consult local government authorities for the latest information."

A Cambodian civil aviation official said flights between Cambodia and Thailand are continuing as scheduled, despite the current clashes at the border.

It is a sign that the tensions may stay contained within the affected border areas, and not unfurl into a much bigger conflict between the two countries.

Sin Chansereyvutha, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation of Cambodia, told the Khmer Times that flights between Phnom Penh–Bangkok and Siem Reap–Bangkok remain unaffected.

He said officials are closely monitoring the situation and will notify the public of any changes.

China urged Cambodia and Thailand to talk and resolve the disputes that led to deadly clashes along their border. Cambodia is a close regional ally of China, while Thailand is a major non-NATO ally of the U.S.

The clashes erupted after Thailand accused Cambodia of laying landmines that injured its patrolling troops.

"We are deeply concerned with the ongoing developments and hope that the two sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultation," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular briefing in Beijing on Thursday, July 24.

Newsweek's John Feng has mapped out where along the Thailand-Cambodia clashes have broken out today.

Each side has accused the other of firing first. Thailand said Cambodian artillery fire into civilian areas killed at least 10 people and injured at least 14 others.

The Royal Thai Army said 10 civilians had been killed and 14 more injured across seven areas impacted by Cambodian artillery fire on Thursday.

One of those killed was an eight-year-old boy, the army said in its statement. Homes were also damaged.

"The Thai side reiterates its readiness to defend its sovereignty and protect its people from such inhumane acts," said the statement, originally in Thai.

Thai civilians took to concrete shelters in Surin as clashes broke out with Cambodian forces.

Thai people who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers take shelter in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, Thursday, July 24, 2025. AP Photo/Sunny Chittawil

A woman carries a child near a shelter as Thai people who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers seek safety in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, Thursday, July 24, 2025. AP Photo/Sunny Chittawil

Border disputes are longstanding issues that have caused periodic tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. The most prominent and violent conflicts have been around the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

Relations between the Southeast Asian neighbors have deteriorated sharply since May 2025 when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an armed confrontation in another of the several small patches of land both countries claim as their own territory.

The Thai army said of the initial clash on Thursday, July 24, that its forces heard an unmanned aerial vehicle before seeing six armed Cambodian soldiers moving closer to Thailand's station.

It said Thai soldiers tried to shout at them to defuse the situation but the Cambodian side started to open fire.

On Wednesday, July 23, a land mine blast near the border wounded five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg.

A week earlier, a land mine in a different contested area exploded and wounded three Thai soldiers when one of them stepped on it and lost a foot.

Thai authorities have alleged the mines were newly laid along paths that by mutual agreement were supposed to be safe. They said the mines were Russian-made and not of a type employed by Thailand's military.

Cambodia rejected Thailand's account as "baseless accusations," pointing out that many unexploded mines and other ordnance are a legacy of 20th century wars and unrest.

This post uses reporting by The Associated Press.

The Cambodian foreign ministry accused Thai armed forces of launching an "unprovoked, premeditated and deliberate attacks on Cambodian positions along the border areas, including Tamone Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple and Mom Bei, in the provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey."

The statement called it an "act of aggression constitutes a blatant and serious violation of international law".

"The Royal Government of Cambodia condemns in the strongest possible terms this reckless and hostile act by Thailand," the foreign ministry said.

"Such unprovoked military aggression not only endangers peace and stability along our shared border, but also demonstrates utter disregard for regional norms and international legal obligations.

"Cambodia calls on Thailand to immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw its forces to its side of the border, and refrain from any further provocative actions that could escalate the situation."

Phnom Penh also warned: "Cambodia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to peace, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. However, Cambodia also reserves its inherent right to self-defense, as recognized under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, and will take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its people."

The Thai government accused Cambodian forces of laying anti-personnel landmines within Thai territory that caused injuries to patrolling troops in recent days, before the latest clash unfolded.

In a statement, the Thai government said "heavy artillery was fired into the Thai military base and continued throughout the morning" on Thursday, July 24, also accusing Cambodian forces of hitting civilian areas, resulting in deaths.

Thailand is recalling its ambassador to Cambodia in response, it said, and requested that Cambodia do the same.

"The Royal Thai Government urges Cambodia to cease its repeated act which constitutes a severe violation of international law," the statement said.

"Such actions fundamentally contradict the principles of good neighborly relations and good faith, and will further undermine Cambodia's reputation and credibility on the global stage.

"The Royal Thai Government calls upon Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents that have occurred, cease attacks against civilian and military targets, and stop all actions that violate Thailand's sovereignty.

"The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty in accordance with international law and principles."

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