ALBAWABA - A clash on the Cambodia-Thailand border erupted on Thursday, leaving at least 11 Thai civilians killed, including an 8-year-old child, Reuters reported, citing the Thai army.
The army further mentioned that at least 14 others were injured in a shelling on the border between Thailand and Cambodia.
In response, the Thai army confirmed using F-16 fighter jets in targeting and destroying military targets in Cambodia, while the embassy in Phnom Penh directed all citizens to leave Cambodia "as soon as possible" amid border violence.
Cambodian soldiers reload the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province on July 24, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
What is the reason behind Thailand and Cambodia border clashes?
Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of clashes, which first began during the French colonial rule back in 1907, when a new map was created and gave Cambodia the right to govern a certain region on the border with Bangkok, igniting a conflict between the two countries, The New York Times detailed.
After that, clashes on the border remained as both Bangkok and Phnom Penh continued to want to control temples that are in the disputed area between the two Southeast Asian countries.
Military violence broke out in 2008, and in 2011 a deadly clashes erupted between the two sides in a jungle border area, including ancient temples. The fighting continued for a week before they inked a ceasefire agreement. Back then, Cambodia and Thailand each accused the other of initiating the conflict.
The golden crest of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia is mounted on the red brick wall outside its embassy in Bangkok on July 24, 2025. (Photo by Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP)
In May 2025, the situation broke again when a Cambodian soldier was killed, raising tension between the two neighboring countries.
On July 24, a Thai soldier lost his right leg in a land mine blast that was blamed on Cambodia, igniting a new conflict on the border as the two countries opened fire and used shelling against each other.
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged blame for who started the fire, and Bangkok degraded ties with Cambodia.
