Thai army affirms persisting strengthening actions by Cambodia
The border between Cambodia and Thailand is currently in a state of high tension, with active military conflict centred around disputed areas near the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple.
Cambodia is reinforcing its troops along the border, a development confirmed by the deployment of troops in multiple border provinces. The 2nd Army Region has reportedly detained 20 Cambodian troops who surrendered at the Chong Sam Tae crossing in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket. Two of the detained soldiers were injured and admitted to Fort Weerawatyothin Hospital in Surin.
On the Thai side, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has announced a nationwide ban on civilian drones, in response to unidentified drones spying on Thai military units in border provinces. These drones have been reported in various locations, including Phu Makua, Satta Som, Prasat Don Tuan, and Phu Phee in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket, as well as Chong Sai Taku in Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram and Chong Aan Mah crossing in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani. The exact purpose or identity of the drones remains unclear.
The ban expands upon an initial ban that began on Wednesday in high-risk provinces. The ban was announced by ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon, the CAAT director. The regional army command made this statement on Thursday morning.
The situation has rapidly intensified, with reports of Cambodian troops surrendering after running out of ammunition. This escalation follows months of rising tensions marked by earlier border skirmishes, including fatal and injurious incidents involving landmines, and the mutual recall of ambassadors along with several border crossing closures.
The contested border extends over 800 kilometers and involves longstanding disputes over territory, including ancient temples near the Dângrêk Mountains. The fighting in July 2025 is the most intense since earlier conflicts in 2011 and subsequent periods of uneasy calm. A ceasefire reportedly came into effect after midnight on July 28, 2025, though Thailand alleges numerous ceasefire violations by Cambodia since then.
As of early August 2025, the Cambodia-Thailand border is highly tense with recent active combat involving drone surveillance, artillery, troop movements, and airstrikes, framed by longstanding territorial disputes and recent violent incidents that severely strained bilateral relations.
- The escalation of war-and-conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand has extended to their politics, with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand banning civilian drones in response to unidentified drones spying on Thai military units, a move that could be perceived as a political maneuver.
- Amidst the general-news about the high-tension border and active military conflicts, one cannot overlook the crime-and-justice aspect, as the 2nd Army Region detained 20 Cambodian troops who surrendered, with two of them being hospitalized after injuries.
