Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as a rapidly intensifying border conflict entered its second day.
The Royal Thai Army reported shelling in multiple areas, including Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces, and confirmed it had launched strikes in response to attacks from Cambodian forces.
According to a statement from Thailand’s Second Army Region, Cambodian troops used heavy weapons including Russian-made BM-21 multiple rocket launchers during overnight and early morning bombardments.
“Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems,” the Royal Thai Army said.
“Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation,” the statement added.
The fighting, which erupted early Thursday near the disputed border region, escalated from small arms fire to heavy artillery exchanges at no fewer than six locations spanning over 200 kilometers. Both sides have blamed each other for starting the clashes.
The Thai military confirmed that around 100,000 civilians have been evacuated from frontline areas as a precaution. Reuters journalists in Surin reported intermittent explosions throughout Friday, with visible troop movements, including armed convoys, along rural roads near the conflict zone.
Military reinforcements were seen moving into position, including armored vehicles, artillery, and main battle tanks. Among the units deployed were Ukraine-made Oplot-M and M48A5 tanks, U.S.-supplied Stryker armored personnel carriers, and locally produced M758 Autonomous Truck-Mounted Guns (ATMG). Their presence underlines Thailand’s effort to reassert control over a contested region that has sparked multiple flare-ups in the past.
Thai air power has also been brought into the fight. F-16 fighter jets carried out precision strikes against Cambodian artillery positions believed to have fired across the border. In addition, Thai forces employed armed drones to conduct overhead surveillance and deliver munitions directly onto enemy weapons depots and troop concentrations, Thai defense officials said.
#Thailand / #Cambodia : “Royal Thai Army” struck Cambodian Army positions and destroyed weapons depots as a result of Drone Strikes.
Thai Army used domestic “Bombing Drones” (โดรนโจมตีทิ้งระเบิด) carrying M261 and M472 mortar bombs along with Improvised Air-Dropped Bombs. pic.twitter.com/cD2843guRS
— War Noir (@war_noir) July 24, 2025
Border sovereignty along the disputed frontier has been a flashpoint for over a century. The current round of hostilities appears to be the worst in more than a decade, with at least 15 reported fatalities.
Thai authorities have not confirmed whether a ceasefire is under negotiation. On the ground, armored units and strike aircraft continue to operate along the contested areas, while regional leaders call for restraint.