Thailand’s armed forces have confirmed that one F-16 plane in a flight of six opened fireplace at what it claimed to be a Cambodian army goal as the 2 international locations’ border dispute erupts into armed clashes.
Contested borders between Thailand and Cambodia have been a supply of stress, and occasional violence, for many years. These tensions had been reignited following the demise of a Cambodian soldier throughout a short firefight with Thai forces in Could. The border has now been formally closed as direct battle between Thai and Cambodian forces occurred at a number of places on Jul. 24, 2025. Thailand has reported 12 fatalities from Cambodian shelling, whereas casualty experiences from Cambodia have but to totally materialise.
Relations between Cambodia and Thailand have deteriorated considerably since Could, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a conflict on the disputed border.
Verify our Thai-Cambodia dispute timeline right here. pic.twitter.com/unsqNeL3fS
— Nikkei Asia (@NikkeiAsia) July 24, 2025
Escalating their response following these artillery strikes, Thailand approved using airstrikes towards Cambodian targets, resulting in the deployment of six F-16 Combating Falcon fighters of the Royal Thai Air Pressure (RTAF). One in every of these fighters is alleged to have opened fireplace, dropping a minimum of two bombs on a street in Cambodia which Thailand claims as a army goal. Cambodia has condemned this strike, it says towards a civilian goal, as “reckless and brutal army aggression”.
Video footage exhibiting the F-16s being armed and launched from their base point out using Mark 82 500 lb bombs fitted with Lizard steerage kits, manufactured by Elbit Programs.
#Cambodia | #Thailand
Footage from the Royal Thai Air Pressure (RTAF) exhibiting floor crews arming F-16s with Mk 82 (500 lb) bombs which might be outfitted with Lizard III steerage kits.
These F-16s had been a part of the flights that ran a number of airstrikes towards the RCA. pic.twitter.com/c56WiA8Y1i
— T-55AM1 (@T_55AM1_) July 24, 2025
Bombs may very well be seen with handwritten markings, together with “Whats up Hunsen” – seemingly referring to Cambodian President of the Senate Hun Sen.
With no operational fighter plane of its personal, the Royal Cambodian Air Pressure has solely a restricted functionality to repel air assaults by RTAF plane. Floor primarily based air defence (GBAD) embody Soviet period anti plane weapons and a few extra trendy Chinese language missile programs, together with the HQ-12 radar guided floor to air missile. Cambodian sources initially claimed that one RTAF F-16 had been downed by these air defences however this was swiftly refuted by Thailand.
Footage of the Royal Thai Air Pressure (RTAF) F-16 Multirole Fighters finishing up precision airstrikes on key army positions in Cambodia. pic.twitter.com/EXbGgoy4mI
— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) July 24, 2025
In anticipation of additional battle, Thailand has evacuated round 40,000 civilians from settlements within the border areas and recalled its ambassador from Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Cambodia has struck targets in Thailand utilizing BM-21 ‘Grad’ rocket artillery, and can be reported to be utilizing small drones for cross-border intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). One BM-21 rocket struck a gas station in Si Saket Province, leading to a minimum of eight casualties and a large plume of smoke. Armored autos, together with principal battle tanks, have been famous deploying to the border on either side.
Cambodia fired BM-21 a number of rocket launchers at army positions inside Thailand.pic.twitter.com/h1sGlbrYpM
— Tar21Operator (@Tar21Operator) July 24, 2025
[Breaking] The Second Military Area experiences that BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian facet have hit a PTT gasoline station in Ban Phue, Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, leaving many college students and civilians injured.#Thailand #Cambodia #ไทยกัมพูชา #ชายแดนไทยกัมพูชา pic.twitter.com/3moE6Jwqjm
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) July 24, 2025
The Royal Thai Military has codenamed its operation ‘Yuttha Bodin’, roughly translating to ‘Battle for the Sacred Land’. That is accompanied by a motto which incorporates the phrase “crush all who trespass on Thai soil”.
Each side within the battle have been equipped army tools by China, though Thailand integrates these items alongside many Western constructed programs. Thai tools, on the entire, is extra trendy and plentiful than their Cambodian counterparts. In June, the RTAF confirmed its selection of the Gripen E/F as its new fighter, changing a few of its oldest F-16s.
This can be a growing scenario, and we’ll endeavor to carry you extra updates when doable.
