TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Thailand-Cambodian War broke out on Thursday, July 24, 2025, with the death toll reaching 33 as of Sunday, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia.
Moreover, more than 200,000 people have been evacuated from the border areas of both countries, as reported by Antara on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
According to Al Jazeera, armed conflict erupted on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in the border area near the Preah Vihear Temple, with both sides accusing each other of initiating gunfire, stemming from the border dispute and the competition for historical sites.
The border dispute arose from the French colonial period in 1907, where the demarcation lines claimed by both countries overlapped. Cambodia based its territorial claims on the French-demarcated border, while Thailand deemed the lines inaccurate.
As per the Security Council Report, the dispute involves a 817-kilometer border that has yet to be fully agreed upon.
Meanwhile, the competition for historical sites, especially at the Preah Vihear Temple, an 11th-century Hindu complex claimed by both countries. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia. However, Thailand continued to claim areas around it. In 2000, the two countries agreed to establish a Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to settle the overlapping claims, but no agreement has been reached.
The recent escalation of the conflict began on July 16, 2025, when a Thai soldier lost his leg due to a landmine explosion while patrolling in the Chong Bok area, Nam Zuen district, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. A second explosion occurred on July 23, 2025, causing injuries to five Thai soldiers around the Chong An Ma point, located in Ubon Ratchathani province, with one soldier seriously injured and losing a leg.
In response to the landmine explosions, Thailand immediately recalled its ambassador from Cambodia and closed border checkpoints at several locations, including Chong An Ma, Chong Sa-ngam, Chong Chom, and Chong Sai Takoo. Additionally, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Kwai temples ceased operations. Subsequently, an armed conflict occurred on Thursday morning near the Prasat Ta Moan Thom Temple, Surin Province, Thailand.
Battles between Thailand and Cambodia have occurred in 12 locations along the disputed border, precisely between Surin and Sisaket provinces in Thailand and Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear in Cambodia, as stated by a Thai military official on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, based on Bernama news, stated on Sunday, July 27, 2025, that both Thailand and Cambodia agreed for Malaysia to mediate in the conflict. "They have full confidence in Malaysia and have asked me to be the mediator," Mohamad said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai are expected to arrive in Malaysia on Monday night for ceasefire negotiations proposed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as chairman of the ASEAN regional forum, on Friday, July 26, 2025.
United States President Donald Trump also expressed on Saturday, July 27, 2025, that both leaders agreed to pursue a ceasefire. "Both sides want an immediate ceasefire and peace. They agreed to meet soon to arrange a ceasefire and, ultimately, peace," he wrote in a post on Truth Social regarding the solution to the Thailand-Cambodian war.
Adinda Jasmine, Dewi Rina Cahyani, and Muhammad Nafis Wirasaputra contributed to this article.
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