Military authorities in Thailand share images of damaged Cambodian steps at Chong Kan Ma location
In a recent border dispute, Thai troops clashed with Cambodian forces near the Preah Vihear Temple in Cambodia, specifically at Phu Ma Kua near the Chong Kan Ma pass in Thailand's Si Sa Ket province. The clashes took place between July 24 and 28, 2025.
During the clashes, Thai forces destroyed a large Cambodian steel stairway used to access Phu Ma Kua from the Chong Kan Ma Pass, as well as a makeshift cable car and a cell tower positioned at the mountaintop. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) released photographs to support these claims.
However, the Thai 2nd Army chief denied accusations that Thai forces violated a ceasefire agreement by advancing into Chong Kan Ma after the truce came into effect on July 28. He insisted that Thai troops had secured the area before the ceasefire and that the zone lies within the Thai boundary, asserting the need to maintain control there.
Thailand also accused Cambodia of breaching a 2000 border agreement by supporting civilian settlements and market establishments on the disputed Chong An Ma plot, which Thailand vows to dismantle.
The fighting for control of Phu Ma Kua occurred in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district. The RTA did not specify the exact time of the steel stairway's demolition, but it is believed to have occurred during the clashes. The steel stairway, which was destroyed with explosives by the RTA, was a crucial access point for Cambodian troops.
This border region has been a flashpoint for ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, with military actions and border violations continuing to be reported. The clashes and territorial dispute around Chong Kan Ma and Phu Ma Kua reflect these ongoing tensions.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia at Preah Vihear Temple's Phu Ma Kua, near the Chong Kan Ma pass, has escalated, with the destruction of a Cambodian steel stairway, a makeshift cable car, and a cell tower by Thai forces. This incident is not only a part of the ongoing war-and-conflicts but also general-news, as it involves political maneuverings and accusations of ceasefire violations. Moreover, the crime-and-justice implications are evident, as both countries accuse each other of breaching agreements and establishing settlements, which could potentially lead to further accidents and instability in the region.
