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Thailand Seals Border With Cambodia After Deadly Clashes Leave 12 Dead Near Preah Vihear 

This morning, a wave of bullets broke out across the Thai-Cambodian border as a simmering border dispute boiled over into a deadly confrontation. At least 12 soldiers and civilians have died in the worst fighting between the two countries since a previous clash in 2022, and the violence has prompted Thailand to close all border crossings by noon. 

The fighting began around the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO heritage site and long-time historical point of contention between the neighboring countries, but this round of fighting includes reports from witnesses of artillery fire into civilian villages 5 km into Thailand. Now with over 3,000 families displaced, let us look at what sparked the conflict and how it has escalated.

The Trigger: What Escalated Tensions 

The fight was July 24, 2025, as Cambodian soldiers crossed into Si Sa Ket province, apparently to remove a remote monitoring post. The Thais say this violated their 2023 Joint Border Commission agreement, while Cambodia argues they are reclaiming their sovereign territory. 

Satellite imagery released by ASEAN's conflict monitoring body shows both sides have been digging additional trench positions this week.  

Notable Casualties: 

  • 5 Thai rangers (including a 24-year-old medic)  
  • 4 Cambodian soldiers  
  • 3 civilians (one Thai fruit vendor and two Cambodian children)  

Cambodian Shelling Kills 12 in Thailand, including 11 Civilians and a Soldier 

The Minister of Thailand, Somsak Thepsuthin, said 12 people, 11 civilians and one soldier, were killed in artillery strikes by Cambodian forces on Thursday. 

One of the civilians killed was a child; an additional 7 soldiers and 24 civilians were injured in the attack. Cambodia has not reported any casualties on its side so far. 

Thailand’s Government Accused of War Crimes Hit Hospital 

Thai authorities said civilian areas, including a hospital, were directly targeted in the strikes. The minister of Thailand, Somsak Thepsuthin, called it an act that could be considered a war crime, demanding that Cambodia be held accountable. 

Thailand Closes All Cambodia Border Checkpoints 

Thailand has closed all border checkpoints with Cambodia, implementing a level 4 closure along the entire frontier, stated Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation.

Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute Escalates; Fighting with Artillery and Airstrikes 

Tension has erupted into armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia along the border of the nations, accompanied by claims of rockets and landmines. Thailand claims that Cambodia conducted a rocket attack on civilians within the Territory of Thailand and planted landmines in Thailand. 

Thailand has warned that it will escalate its self-defense practices if Cambodia continues its attack on Thailand. The Thai Foreign Ministry condemned the actions of Cambodia and warned Cambodia to take responsibility for the incident. They asked them to stop the attacks on civilian and military targets and stop actions that violate Thailand's sovereignty. 

The Fading Frontier: A Turning Point 

As darkness descends over Preah Vihear, displaced families build fires at the site of artillery flashes. This engagement goes beyond land; it is about 3,000+ lives destroyed and the fragile stability of a region. As diplomacy comes to a halt, everyone's attention is focused on whether these neighbors can reverse their course.