Why Thailand and Cambodia Are on the Brink: Border Disputes, Landmines, and Rising Nationalism

What’s Fueling the Thailand-Cambodia Border Crisis in July 2025

The dramatic escalation in border violence between Thailand and Cambodia this month isn’t just a sudden flare-up—it’s a decades-long territorial dispute reaching a boiling point.

From landmine injuries and cross-border clashes to diplomatic downgrades and rising nationalist politics, here’s a breakdown of what’s really driving the conflict.

🔥 1. Landmine Incidents and Explosive Accusations

The latest round of tension kicked off after several Thai soldiers were injured by landmines in disputed border zones.

• Thailand alleges the mines are recent Russian-made deployments by Cambodian forces.
• Cambodia denies this, claiming the explosions were caused by decades-old mines from past conflicts—and accuses Thai troops of straying off agreed patrol routes.

The mine issue, while not new, has proven to be the spark in a powder keg this time around.

⚔️ 2. Clashes Near Ta Moan Thom and Who Shot First

After the landmine incidents, firefights broke out along the border, especially near the Ta Moan Thom temple, another flashpoint of historical tension.

• Thailand claims Cambodian troops opened fire first after a drone sighting, followed by attacks on a Thai military base.
• Cambodia counters with accusations of unprovoked Thai incursions into their territory.

Neither side is backing down, and reports suggest military buildups on both ends of the disputed region.

🕊️ 3. Diplomacy in Free Fall: Ambassadors Recalled

The political fallout has been swift and severe:

• Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok.
• Cambodia responded by downgrading diplomatic ties and withdrawing its own embassy staff.

The standoff has also triggered economic retaliation:

• Cambodia has halted imports of Thai fuel, fruit, and even TV soap operas (yes, seriously).
• Thailand, in turn, has tightened cross-border movement.

🗺️ 4. The Core Conflict: A Colonial-Era Border Map

The root of the problem? An 817 km border left undemarcated since colonial times, originally mapped by French cartographers in 1907 when Cambodia was under French rule.

• Thailand disputes this map and contests ownership of historical temples like the 11th-century Preah Vihear, which the International Court of Justice awarded to Cambodia in 1962—but surrounding land remains a gray area.
• The lesser-known Ta Moan Thom temple is the current hotspot, with both sides accusing the other of illegal occupation.

5. Nationalism, Politics, and Power Plays

Internal politics are fanning the flames:

• In Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under pressure from military hardliners and conservatives accusing her of being “soft” on Cambodia.
• A leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen (former Cambodian PM and father of current PM Hun Manet) has triggered outrage in Thai political circles, with critics alleging secret diplomacy.

Both governments appear to be leaning into nationalist rhetoric, possibly to shore up internal political support.

What Next?

Cambodia has floated the idea of returning to the International Court of Justice, but Thailand is pushing for bilateral negotiations.

With diplomatic ties frozen, troops mobilized, and casualties rising, the region is on edge. ASEAN has yet to formally intervene.

🔗 Related Reading: Thailand Launches Air Strikes on Cambodia