2025 Cambodian–Thai border crisis

2025 Cambodian–Thai border crisis
Part of skirmishes along the Cambodia–Thailand border
Map of Cambodia with its border with Thailand marked in red
Date 28 May 2025 – present (27 days) Location Cambodia–Thailand border Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Cambodia	Thailand
Commanders and leaders
Hun Manet Hun Sen Tea Seiha Mao Sophan	Paetongtarn Shinawatra Phumtham Wechayachai Phana Khlaeoplotthuk Boonsin Padklang
Units involved
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Royal Cambodian Army 4th Military Region	Royal Thai Armed Forces Royal Thai Army 2nd Army Region Suranaree Command 1st Army Region Burapa Command Royal Thai Navy Royal Thai Air Force
Casualties and losses
1 (soldier)	None

The border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand escalated on 28 May 2025, following a brief military clash. The incident occurred in the Cambodia–Thailand border region near the Emerald Triangle (Chong Bok), a tripoint where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge. This area has long been a point of contention between Cambodia and Thailand and has previously served as a flashpoint for tensions and multiple instances of military confrontation.

Disputes between Cambodia and Thailand over their border originates to ambiguities dating back to treaties signed between Siam (present-day Thailand) and France. After Cambodian independence, the disputed Preah Vihear Temple was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, but the temple and other disputed border areas remained contested. Nationalist sentiments in both countries have fuelled tensions. Between 2008 and 2011, skirmishes between the two led to casualties on both sides before the ICJ reaffirmed its 1962 ruling.

Tensions over the border area increased in early 2025. On 13 February, Thai soldiers prevented Cambodian tourists from singing the Cambodian national anthem at the disputed Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, creating further tension. On 28 May, Cambodian and Thai soldiers briefly exchanged fire between each other, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Both nations accused each other of instigating the skirmish.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet responded to the incident by beginning plans to seek a ruling from the ICJ, saying that he did not want to see a conflict with Thailand. Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand's Minister of Defence, said that neither side wanted to escalate the conflict and that it had been resolved. Discussions between the Cambodian and Thai militaries were held on 29 May.

Background

The Preah Vihear Temple case being heard before the International Court of Justice in 1961

The border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has its roots in the ambiguity of the demarcation line stemming from the Franco–Siamese Treaty of 1904, which established certain border demarcations between the Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand) and the French Third Republic. However, after Cambodia gained independence, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear Temple was under Cambodian sovereignty. However, the surrounding area remained disputed, leading to ongoing tensions—especially during the period from 2008 to 2011, when the military clashes resulted in casualties on both sides. Nationalist sentiment in both countries played a key role in escalating the conflict. Between 2008 and 2011, repeated clashes caused injuries and fatalities on both sides before the ICJ reaffirmed its 1962 ruling.

Tensions at the border escalated again in early 2025. On 13 February, Thai soldiers prohibited Cambodian tourists from singing the Cambodian national anthem at Prasat Ta Muen Thom, a disputed site, further inflaming tensions. Later, on 28 May 2025, an armed clash occurred between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in the Emerald Triangle (Chong Bok), a tri-border area shared by Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. The incident resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Both countries issued statements accusing each other of initiating the violence, pushing bilateral relations into another phase of heightened tension.

Following the clash in the Emerald Triangle, Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet responded by announcing the initiation of proceedings to submit the matter to the ICJ, while affirming he did not wish for conflict with Thailand. On the Thai side, Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that neither side wished for the situation to escalate further and confirmed that the incident had already been resolved. On 29 May, a meeting was held between General Phana Khlaeoplotthuk, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, and General Mao Sophan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Army, to coordinate efforts to reduce tensions and prevent future incidents.

Events

Skirmish (May 28)

On May 28, Cambodian and Thai soldiers engaged in a brief 10-minute skirmish, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. The skirmish occurred along the border of Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province. Both countries claimed each other was the aggressor. Mao Phalla, spokesperson for the Cambodian army, claimed that Thai soldiers were the first to open fire on Cambodian soldiers in a trench that had been in use for a while. Meanwhile, Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the Thai army, claimed that Thai soldiers had attempted to persuade the Cambodian soldiers to withdrawal before the Cambodians opened fire.

Attempts to de-escalate and continued tensions

Bilateral talks to de-escalate were held on June 5, but failed to culminate to anything concrete. Thailand's defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai claimed that Cambodia had rejected Thailand's proposals and that, on June 7, Thailand would reinforce its military presence on the border. Separately on the same date, the Thai army claimed that Cambodian civilians were making frequent incursions into Thai territory and that “these provocations, and the buildup of military forces, indicate a clear intent to use force.” On 17 June, Cambodia announced that they have banned the imports of fruits and soap opera from Thailand.

Phone call leak

Main article: Thailand–Cambodia phone call leak

On 15 June 2025, Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra contacted Khliang Huot the deputy governor of Phnom Penh, to request his assistance in serving as interpreter and intermediary for an informal conversation with Hun Sen. The discussion was held outside of official diplomatic protocols, with no formal records kept by either government, and was intended as a private exchange of views between two senior political figures. However, Paetongtarn was reportedly unaware that Hun Sen had recorded the entire phone conversation using his mobile device. On 18 June 2025, Hun Sen unilaterally released the audio clip to the public without prior notification to the Thai government, triggering a wave of political fallout both domestically in Thailand and across the broader regional arena.

The impact of the audio leak was immediately evident in Thailand's economic sector, particularly in the capital markets. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index declined sharply over three consecutive trading days following the publication of the clip, reflecting investor anxiety over the political stability of the Thai government. The cumulative drop of -4.17% in the benchmark index signaled a loss of market confidence among both domestic and foreign investors regarding the strength and cohesion of Thailand's political leadership. Tensions were further exacerbated when the Bhumjaithai Party, a key coalition partner, announced its official withdrawal from the governing coalition at 8:30 PM on 18 June 2025. This political development caused Paetongtarn's administration to lose its parliamentary majority, creating a leadership crisis and casting doubt on the government's ability to remain in office. Public and investor confidence in the country's political trajectory was significantly shaken.

From the perspective of scholars and experts in international relations, the leaked audio clip has been widely regarded as a pivotal moment that revealed the fragile and complex structure of executive power in Thailand. Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a prominent academic specializing in Thai foreign relations, commented via online platforms that Paetongtarn's unguarded conversation with Hun Sen reflected a form of "submission" to a foreign leader. He argued that her behavior demonstrated a lack of diplomatic experience and posed risks to the perception of Thailand's sovereign posture. Simultaneously, segments of the Thai public began to question the propriety of the long standing relationship between the Shinawatra family and the Hun family—an alliance that some observers believe has influenced Thailand's foreign policy stance toward its eastern neighbor.

One of the most controversial segments of the leaked conversation was Paetongtarn's characterization of the Royal Thai Armed Forces as a "rival faction" to her administration. She confided to Hun Sen that her government faced ongoing difficulties with the military and remarked, "They are all from the opposition side", a statement widely interpreted as referring to senior military officers, particularly Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, the commander of the Second Army Region. Although Paetongtarn later issued a formal apology to Boonsin and clarified that the conversation occurred outside official working hours and was not intended to undermine any institution, public criticism remained intense. Questions continued to be raised about her judgment, her diplomatic prudence, and the broader implications of forming personal ties with foreign leaders in ways that might compromise Thailand's long-term national interests.

Border checkpoint closures

Thailand's first border closure order (left) and Cambodia's order (right)

Trat province fell under the broader context of border management reform after the Ministry of Defence delegated authority over border areas to the Royal Thai Army, following a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) held on June 7, 2025. The proposal was initiated by Paetongtarn. Under this mandate, the army issued orders to its respective field units to strictly enforce border controls, including regulating opening and closing times of checkpoints along the Cambodian frontier. Although there were no immediate official closures, this delegation allowed regional commanders to act at their discretion based on local conditions.

On the evening of June 21, 2025, Boonsin exercised discretion under the powers granted through the NSC and army directives and approved the indefinite closure of the Chong Sai Taku trade relief checkpoint in Ban Kruat district, Buri Ram province, citing national security, the safety of life and property, and operational suitability for border officers. This marked the first stringent measure since the central delegation of authority and became a key turning point in policy-based retaliation between Thailand and Cambodia at the local level.

As a result of the checkpoint closure, Cambodia issued a response the following morning. At 7:00 a.m. on June 22, 2025, Hun Manet announced via his Facebook page the Cambodian government’s decision to close the Ban Jup Koki checkpoint, located in Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey province, directly opposite Thailand's Chong Sai Taku checkpoint. Additionally, Cambodia ordered the closure of another checkpoint, Chong Choum, in Anlong Veng District, Oddar Meanchey, which faces Thailand's Chong Sa-Ngam permanent border checkpoint in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province. These moves reflected Cambodia's border-level diplomatic counteraction to Thailand's measure, which could affect cross-border trade between the two countries, as well as the livelihoods of local communities dependent on these routes.

Ban Hat Lek

Ban Phakkhat

Ban Laem

Ban Khlong Luek

Friendship Bridge

Ban Khao Din

Chong Chom

Chong Sa-Ngam

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Blue: Thailand’s permanent checkpoints
Red: Thailand’s trade checkpoints

On June 23, 2025 at 15:20, Paetongtarn delivered a statement following a meeting to address transnational crime. She was accompanied by General Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces, Police General Thatchai Pitanilobut, Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police, and other relevant agencies. The government aimed to enhance its international cooperation in tackling transnational crime, with Cambodia being a key focus as a source of such crimes affecting the global community, according to United Nations reports. Thailand deemed this a security threat and raised countermeasures across all national agencies, including strict border control across all seven provinces bordering Cambodia, and increased scrutiny over flights to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport. The move impacted Emirates, which had recently launched its route to Suvarnabhumi Airport on June 3.

The government also began reviewing financial routes and implementing crackdowns on transnational crime, alongside relief measures for businesses affected in the industrial, service, and agricultural sectors.

Thailand subsequently closed all border checkpoints along the Cambodia–Thailand border, under military authority granted by the NSC. At 19:10, the First Army Region issued an order affecting all checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province, suspending cross-border traffic of all vehicles and persons, except for humanitarian cases (education, urgent medical care). Later, the Second Army Region issued similar orders for Surin, Sisaket, and Buriram, maintaining the same bans but allowing agricultural and essential consumer goods to cross. Finally, the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command issued an order covering Chanthaburi and Trat, applying the same humanitarian and limited trade exceptions.

All three military orders cited national security concerns and the need to intensify the fight against transnational crimes, particularly those involving human trafficking, call center gangs, and hybrid scams, in order to protect Thai lives, property, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Thailand recalled its ambassador

An unconfirmed report on 20 June 2025 stated that the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs had recalled its ambassador and downgraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia to the chargé d'affaires level in retaliation. However, a separate unconfirmed report by the same publisher later stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified it had only recalled the ambassador to Thailand to "assess" the situation. As of now, diplomatic relations between the two countries have not been officially downgraded.

21 June 2025

On 21 June 2025, Thailand closed the Sai Taku border checkpoint in Buri Ram province. This action prompted a retaliatory response from Cambodia, which subsequently ordered the closure of two additional border checkpoints located opposite Thailand's Buri Ram and Si Sa Ket provinces.

22 June 2025

On 22 June 2025, Cambodian PM Hun Manet announced on his facebook, "Starting from midnight tonight, all fuel and gas imports from Thailand will be halted."

24 June 2025

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has opened a preliminary investigation into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The investigation concerns alleged serious violations of the code of ethics stemming from a controversial conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

26 June 2025

The Royal Thai Navy claims they had shot down 4 Unknown Drones over the border in Chanthaburi province using anti-drone measures earlier in the week.

Negotiations

On June 2, Manet announced that the Cambodian government would file a complaint to the ICJ, stating his hope that Thailand would agree to let the issue go to the ICJ and prevent any armed confrontations. Thailand, however, does not recognise the jurisdiction of the ICJ. Phumtham has instead said any issues should be resolved through bilateral negotiations.

Claimed territories and the emergence of disputes

Cambodia

The Cambodian government asserts that certain areas along the international border, where ancient Khmer temples are located, rightfully belong to Cambodia based on historical and cultural evidence. This is especially the case in the area surrounding the Ta Muen temple complex, which includes Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Muen Tot, and Prasat Ta Muen Noi, as well as Prasat Ta Krabey and the Emerald Triangle—a tri-border area where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge.

These locations are situated along the eastern border of Thailand, particularly in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province, and Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province. On the Cambodian side, they correspond to Oddar Meanchey province and Preah Vihear province. The Cambodian government maintains that these areas were once under the control of the ancient Khmer Empire and that the presence of classical Khmer architecture serves as clear evidence of Cambodia's historical and cultural sovereignty over them.

Cambodia therefore views Thailand’s establishment of military bases or security outposts near these ancient sites as a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Thailand

Preah Vihear Temple was originally part of Kantharalak district in Sisaket province, Thailand, before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling in 1962 in the Preah Vihear case, awarding sovereignty over the temple to Cambodia. This decision was based on a 1:200,000 scale map produced by the Franco-Siamese Boundary Commission in the early 20th century. Although Thailand never officially recognized the map, the ICJ considered Thailand's prolonged silence and lack of protest as de facto acceptance.

Today, the temple is located in Choam Khsant District, Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, near the Thai border adjacent to Kantharalak district. Thailand has continued to express partial disagreement with the ruling, especially concerning the issue of the "surrounding area", which was not explicitly included in the original judgment and remains a subject of bilateral dispute to this day.

Additionally, Thailand considers temples such as Ta Muen and other border-located Khmer ruins to be historically and strategically significant, and thus believes they must be protected against perceived encroachments.