According to a report by the Thai Army on July 24, the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has resulted in nine Thai civilians killed and fourteen injured.
The Thai side deployed F-16 fighter jets to destroy two military facilities in Cambodia. Additionally, the Thai side announced the closure of all ports along its border with Cambodia.
Following the conflict, both sides released details and casualty information.
Thailand: Airstrikes with casualties reported
The Second Military District of the Thai Army posted on social media that at 10:58 local time on July 24, Thai forces launched an airstrike using F-16 fighter jets to destroy two military installations in Cambodia.
The Thai Army stated that Cambodian troops had fired two BM-21 rocket launchers at a community in Sukhumvit, Thailand, causing three civilians to be injured. The Thai authorities immediately evacuated the area.
Additionally, according to reports from the Phnom Penh Public Television station, which quoted officials from Sukhumvit, two Cambodian rockets hit a local village, resulting in two deaths and two injuries.
A spokesperson for the Special Management Center for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation said on July 24 that Thailand would close all border crossings with Cambodia.
The Thai Army reported on social media that a special team detected drones flying over the area near Ta Moun Tun Temple in Sukhumvit. Following this, six Cambodian soldiers approached the Thai base’s perimeter fence armed with weapons. To prevent escalation, Thai authorities engaged in negotiations with Cambodian forces while maintaining high vigilance along the entire border and preparing for potential responses.
The Thai Army also mentioned that around 8:20 AM local time on July 24, Cambodia opened fire first at about 200 meters east of Ta Moun Tun Temple, near the Thai base. Relevant departments of the Thai Army are closely monitoring the situation development.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Pranab Jumsai told reporters in a Thai interview that he had received reports on the incident and needed to handle it cautiously and comply with relevant international laws.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged the public to remain calm.
Hun Sen, Chairman of the Senate of Cambodia, stated on social media that the border areas between Oudomxay Province and Prey Veng Province in Cambodia were hit by Thai artillery fire. He mentioned that Thai soldiers began attacking Cambodian troops, who had no choice but to retaliate. He urged the public not to panic or hoard goods and called on vendors not to raise prices.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen also called on the public to remain calm and trust the government and armed forces.
On social media platforms, Hun Sen said, “Cambodia has always adhered to the position of peacefully resolving disputes. However, under these circumstances, we have no other option but to respond militarily to an armed invasion.”
At midnight on July 24, Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sok Sanon told the media that Cambodia decided to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level and recalled its diplomatic personnel in Bangkok. (Reported by Chen Qicai, Lin Hao, Wu Changwei)