Thailand bombs Cambodia in border war over ancient temple: Civilians dead, rice prices set to explode

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The border between Cambodia and Thailand has erupted into open warfare. On July 24, 2025, fighting broke out across six locations near disputed ancient temples, triggering airstrikes, rocket fire, and mass evacuations. Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to bomb Cambodian military targets. Cambodia responded with BM-21 rocket launchers and artillery. At least 14 people are confirmed dead, including 13 civilians. Another 46 are wounded. Thailand has sealed all land crossings and ordered 40,000 people to evacuate from 86 provinces. Cambodia has expelled Thai diplomats, banned Thai fuel and produce, and shut down internet links and power supply from Thailand.

The flashpoint is the 11th-century Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, located in a contested zone near the Thai province of Surin and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey. Both sides claim the area. The dispute dates back to colonial-era maps drawn by France and Siam. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, but Thailand never accepted the full ruling. Cambodia tried to register the temple as a UNESCO site in 2008. That reignited nationalist backlash in Thailand. Skirmishes followed in 2011. The court reaffirmed Cambodia’s claim in 2013. Thailand rejected the jurisdiction.

The current escalation began in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border clash. Thailand accused Cambodia of laying new Russian-made landmines. Cambodia denied it, blaming leftover ordnance from past wars. On July 23, a Thai soldier lost his leg in a mine blast. The next morning, Thai troops spotted a drone and six armed Cambodian soldiers near the temple. Gunfire erupted. Cambodia claims Thailand opened fire first. Thailand says it was defending its position. Both sides expelled ambassadors and downgraded diplomatic ties.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture says Thai bombs damaged the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ministry called it “a sacred cultural site and historical legacy of the Cambodian people” and warned the attack may constitute war crimes. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry accused Cambodia of targeting civilian sites, including a hospital. Thai Defense Ministry confirmed airstrikes were carried out and all jets returned safely.

Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed 11 civilians and 1 soldier dead. Cambodia has not released casualty figures. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok issued a warning to American citizens near the border. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged both sides to declare an immediate ceasefire and offered to mediate under ASEAN.

The economic fallout is already visible. Thai rice and noodle exports to Cambodia are halted. Cambodian markets are bracing for price spikes. Fuel shipments are frozen. Power grids are disrupted. Thai entertainment content is banned. Cambodian telecoms are cutting Thai internet links. Trade checkpoints are shut. The war is real. The consequences are immediate.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/why-thailand-cambodia-going-war-093110924.html

https://www.outlookindia.com/international/cambodia-thailand-conflict-thai-f-16s-deployed-world-heritage-site-damaged

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thailand-cambodia-clash-border-attack-thai-jets-bomb-military-sites

https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/24/07/2025/why-thailand-and-cambodia-are-fighting-again

https://www.news18.com/world/thailand-cambodia-border-clash-live-updates-tensions-escalate-as-soldiers-exchange-fire-latest-news-liveblog-9460110.html

https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/temples-at-the-centre-of-thailandcambodia-dispute-article-152337354

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Cambodia%E2%80%93Thailand_border_conflict



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