07/26/2025
🇰🇭 The Full Story: How Thailand Triggered War Over Ta Muen Thom Temple 🇹🇭
1. Colonial Roots & Long-Standing Disputes
The conflict began with 1907 French colonial-era borders—which Thailand still rejects. Temples like Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear sit along unclear lines. Although the ICJ awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia (1962, 2013), Ta Muen Thom remains legally unresolved.
2. Flashpoints in Early 2025
February: Cambodian tourists sang their national anthem near Ta Muen Thom ➝ Thai objections, escalating tensions.
May 28: A Cambodian soldier died in a skirmish near Preah Vihear. Cambodia requested ICJ intervention; Thailand downplayed the incident.
3. Political Turmoil Inside Thailand
June 15: A private phone call between Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian PM Hun Sen became public. The leak caused scandal, undermined civilian authority, and fueled nationalism in Thailand.
4. Provocation: Landmines & Diplomatic Breakdown (July 16–23)
Thai soldiers were injured by landmines while patrolling inside Cambodian territory. Thailand blamed Cambodia for planting new mines.
Cambodia explained they were unexploded ordnance from past conflicts (UXO). The injuries came after Thai military patrols deviated from agreed routes, stepping deeper into Cambodian land—part of a deliberate effort to claim territory by foot.
The Thai military also downgraded diplomatic ties, recalled its ambassador, expelled Cambodia’s envoy, and unilaterally closed international border crossings—disrupting trade and civilian travel, and done without consultation even with Thailand's Prime Minister.
5. Open Threat: July 22
A senior Thai army commander declared:
“If Cambodia wants the land, they have to fight for it.”
He also announced the planned closure of Ta Muen Temple, signaling explicit intent and disregard for diplomatic norms.
6. Full-Scale War: July 24–25
Time Event
6:30 AM Thai forces placed barbed wire and flew drones into Cambodian airspace near Ta Muen Thom.
~8:30 AM Thai soldiers opened fire on Cambodian troops.
8:47 AM Cambodian forces retaliated in legitimate self-defense.
Over the day, fighting spread across 6–12 border locations, involving infantry, artillery, rockets, drones—and Thailand even deployed F‑16 jets for airstrikes into Cambodia.
7. Humanitarian & Diplomatic Fallout
At least 15–20 people died, mostly civilians; hundreds injured. Over 130,000 Thais and 23,000 Cambodians fled their homes.
Thailand accused Cambodia of using rockets and cluster bombs. Cambodia defended its response as lawful. Cambodia also highlighted Thai targeting of cultural heritage sites like Preah Vihear Temple.
Cambodia requested a UN Security Council meeting. International actors—including the UN, ASEAN, China, US—called for restraint. Meanwhile, Thailand insisted on bilateral talks only.
8. Why This Conflict Happened
At its heart, this war reflects Thailand’s internal political crisis—a clash between a military loyal to the monarchy and a weakened civilian government, using Cambodia as a distraction.
Cambodia consistently advocated for resolution through the ICJ, but Thailand refused legal arbitration and instead opted for military escalation.
The temples, especially Ta Muen Thom, became powerful symbols of nationalism, turning a technical border issue into a flashpoint of identity and pride.
🧭 Behind the Border: Thailand’s Internal Crisis
This conflict isn’t about heritage or history—it’s about power in Bangkok. Thailand’s military bypassed diplomacy, centralized aggression, and escalated with force. Cambodia, however, remained calm, committed to legal avenues, and only acted in self-defense.
🇰🇭 Cambodia wants peace. Thailand chose war.
⚠️ A National Embarrassment: Thai Army Acts Without Its Prime Minister
On July 22, the Thai 2nd Army Region unilaterally announced the closure of Ta Muen Temple. This reckless move signaled military overreach and sparked the chain of events that followed.
📍 Final Message
This aggression is not just an error—it’s a failure of leadership from Thailand’s military and government. Cambodia responded with dignity, unity, and legal conviction. We have stood for peace—and will continue to defend our land.
