In the news
On 25 July, the second day of military confrontation between Thailand and Cambodia saw heavy artillery exchanges. While Cambodia agreed to Malaysia’s ceasefire proposal, Thailand rejected third-party mediation and stated that it preferred bilateral negotiations. 

On 24 June, a Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed Cambodian military targets in response to armed clashes that erupted near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Thailand’s Surin province, which involved BM-21 rockets and reconnaissance drones. Cambodia condemned this as “reckless and brutal military aggression.” 

On 23 June, Thai-Cambodian border disputes escalated in a disputed area of Ubon Ratchathani province, as a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers.  The Thai government expelled the Cambodian ambassador, Hun Saroem, and downgraded diplomatic relations to the lowest level.

Issues at large
First, a brief background to the recent Thailand-Cambodia tensions. The root of the recent tensions between the two countries can be traced back to a century-old border conflict over an 817 km border. A 1907 map from French colonial rule demarcated the Thailand-Cambodia border, which Cambodia uses to claim culturally significant sites along the border, like the Preah Vihear Temple and Ta Muen Thom. Tensions heightened after the 1962 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia, and in 2008, UNESCO listed the Preah Vihar as a World Heritage Site, sparking intermittent tensions since. In May 2025, the death of a Cambodian soldier along the disputed border triggered a new wave of escalation with Cambodia taking up the case to the ICJ, trade restrictions, border controls and other tit-for-tat measures. On 23 July, a landmine explosion near the Ta Muen Thom temple maimed a Thai soldier, sparking the latest round of escalations.

Second, a sudden decline in diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia and the rapid military escalation. Both sides continue to trade blame and downgrade diplomatic relations. Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s ambassador from Bangkok, limiting diplomatic relations to the chargé d'affaires level. Cambodia retaliated by expelling the Thai ambassador and recalling all diplomatic staff. The violence has resulted in significant casualties. Thailand reports 20 deaths and many injuries, with Cambodian figures yet to be released. Thousands have been displaced across Thailand’s Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey region. The Thai leadership has warned that the escalations could “move towards war.” Meanwhile, Cambodia has announced their combat preparedness, threatening the possibility of a full-blown war if immediate de-escalation is not achieved.

Third, the bilateral crisis and its fallouts on Thailand’s internal politics. A leaked phone call between Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen has stirred public outrage in Thailand. On 1 July, the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn amid mounting pressure. During the call, she referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticized the Thai military, calling it “the opposite side.”  The remarks were perceived as a betrayal of national sovereignty, fuelling criticism that Paetongtarn undermined Thailand’s powerful military. The suspension not only destabilised the parliament, but also ruptured the civil-military relations as the Prime Minister's comments directly insulted the Thai military, a powerful political actor as well.

Fourth, strong nationalist and cultural sentiments continue to fuel the conflict. The disputed temples—Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom—hold deep historical and symbolic significance. Both countries frame military actions as a defence of cultural identity. In Thailand, Paetongtarn’s perceived alignment with Cambodia and her criticism of the military have amplified nationalistic outrage. In both countries, leaders face intense pressure to uphold national pride, making compromise politically risky and public reconciliation difficult.
 
In perspective
The sudden breakdown in diplomatic relations and the aggressive responses from both sides have complicated the chances of short term military and long term political de-escalation. The persistent trading of accusations and retaliatory measures, including Cambodia’s ban of Thai imports, Thailand’s tightened border restrictions, severely deteriorate bilateral ties. 

The differences in accepting a third-party-led negotiation further narrow the window for resolution. Without diplomatic engagement, the crisis is likely to worsen further.

About the authors
Brighty Ann Sarah is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. M Kejia is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry.