Border Tensions Erupt: Thai and Cambodian Troops Exchange Fire Near Disputed Temple
Tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border escalated dramatically on the morning of July 24, 2025, after troops from both countries exchanged gunfire in the vicinity of the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple. The flare-up comes amid deepening diplomatic rifts between the neighbouring nations, with Thailand now moving to expel Cambodia’s ambassador.
According to the Royal Thai Army (RTA), the skirmish began at approximately 8:20am when Cambodian troops allegedly opened fire near a military post, around 200 metres from the ancient temple. Thai troops responded with force, reportedly in self-defence. The temple, perched on a contentious stretch of the border, has long been a hotspot for sovereignty disputes between the two countries.
Reports indicate that two Thai soldiers were wounded during the exchange, with Cambodian troops allegedly deploying various weapons, including rocket launchers. Cambodian officials, however, offered a starkly different version of events. In a statement, Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence accused Thai troops of initiating an “unprovoked incursion”, forcing their soldiers to retaliate.
Diplomatic Fallout and a Mounting Border Crisis
The skirmish followed swiftly on the heels of another serious incident just a day prior. On July 23, Thailand downgraded diplomatic ties with Cambodia, citing a landmine explosion that injured a Thai soldier. The Thai government subsequently recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and announced its intention to expel the Cambodian envoy—a rare and serious diplomatic move that underscores the depth of the crisis.
According to Thai media outlet Khaosod, the trouble began around 7:35am when Thai troops notified Cambodian authorities of plans to close off the Ta Muen Thom temple to tourists. The conversation reportedly failed to yield consensus. In response, Thai soldiers began erecting a barbed wire fence around the site. The Thai side also claimed a Cambodian surveillance drone was seen flying in the area shortly before six armed Cambodian soldiers approached their perimeter.
In a Facebook post, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of “armed aggression,” claiming Cambodian troops had no choice but to respond. His father and former Prime Minister Hun Sen echoed the claim, stating that shelling had reached two Cambodian provinces. These accounts have not been independently verified.
Historic Dispute Reignites with Accusations of Landmines
This latest clash is the most severe since a May 28 incident in which a Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed during a brief skirmish. That event led to the political downfall of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and a sharp rise in nationalist sentiment within Thailand.
A fresh point of contention now centres around the placement of landmines in disputed territories. On July 21, Thai officials accused Cambodia of laying new landmines on Thai soil, following injuries sustained by three soldiers. Cambodia rejected the claim, arguing that the mines were remnants from decades-old conflicts and asserting that the injured Thai soldiers had strayed into Cambodian territory.
With both nations trading accusations and no clear resolution in sight, concerns are mounting that the situation could spiral into a prolonged military and diplomatic standoff. The Thai government has reiterated its commitment to international law but stressed that it would protect its sovereignty at all costs.
As regional powers and ASEAN members watch closely, analysts warn that further escalation could destabilise an already delicate geopolitical balance in Southeast Asia.