politics

Thailands use of Airpower ??

cambodia, opinons, thoughts, photography, war

Thailand’s use of airpower against Cambodia is widely seen as disproportionate and controversial. Thailand argues it is acting in self‑defence after border incidents, but Cambodia and international observers stress that Cambodia has no comparable air force, making the strikes an escalation that risks civilian lives and cultural heritage.

📌 Thailand’s Justification

  • Thai officials claim the airstrikes are defensive, launched after Cambodian forces allegedly planted landmines and attacked Thai positions.
  • The Thai Prime Minister stated operations would continue “as necessary to defend the country and protect public safety”.
  • Bangkok frames the strikes as part of protecting the Gulf of Thailand and securing disputed border zones.

⚠️ Criticism and Concerns

  • Cambodia’s position: Phnom Penh accuses Thailand of aggression, saying the strikes deliberately hit civilian areas, including shelters for displaced people and infrastructure in Siem Reap province.
  • Civilian casualties: Reports confirm at least five civilians killed in early strikes, with the toll rising to around 20–25 overall.
  • Imbalance of power: Cambodia has no modern airpower, relying on ground forces, making Thailand’s use of fighter jets a one‑sided escalation.
  • International reaction: Observers warn the strikes undermine ceasefire efforts and risk turning border clashes into full‑scale war.

✨ Assessment

  • Legally and ethically, Thailand’s justification is contested. While states have the right to self‑defence, the scale and targets of the airstrikes—deep inside Cambodian territory, near civilian shelters and UNESCO heritage sites—raise serious proportionality concerns.
  • Strategically, airpower gives Thailand overwhelming dominance, but it risks international condemnation and long‑term instability.
  • Humanitarian impact: With over 800,000 Cambodians displaced, the strikes worsen a crisis that already threatens regional stability.

🔮 Outlook

Unless mediated by ASEAN or external powers, Thailand’s reliance on airpower is likely to prolong the conflict. Cambodia cannot respond in kind, meaning the imbalance will continue to fuel accusations of unjustified aggression.

Cambodia / Thailand conflict.

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Yes, fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated sharply in December 2025, with Thai airstrikes hitting deep inside Cambodian territory, including Siem Reap province near Angkor Wat. Cambodia accuses Thailand of targeting civilian areas and shelters for displaced people, while Thailand claims self‑defence in a long‑running border dispute. Casualties, displacement, and damage to infrastructure are mounting.

📌 Current Situation (as of mid‑December 2025)

  • Airstrikes reported: Cambodian officials say Thai F‑16 fighter jets dropped bombs in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces, including near camps for displaced people and a bridge in Srei Snam district.
  • Tourist sites at risk: Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s top tourist draw and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been directly threatened by strikes.
  • Casualties & displacement: At least 20 people have been killed since fighting reignited, with hundreds of thousands displaced. Cambodia claims around 800,000 people have fled border areasThe Straits Times.
  • Border closures: Phnom Penh has shut all land crossings with Thailand to protect civilians.
  • Thai perspective: Bangkok says the strikes are defensive, part of operations to protect the Gulf of Thailand, and blames Cambodia for instigating attacks.

⚠️ Risks and Implications

  • Humanitarian crisis: Camps for displaced people are now under threat, worsening conditions for civilians already uprooted.
  • Tourism impact: Cambodia’s economy relies heavily on tourism, and strikes near Angkor Wat could devastate recovery efforts post‑COVID.
  • Regional instability: The conflict stems from colonial‑era border demarcation disputes, and repeated truces have failed.
  • International concern: Despite calls for a ceasefire—including from the US—bombing has continued, raising fears of escalation.

✨ Assessment

The Thailand–Cambodia border conflict has reignited into one of the most serious flare‑ups in years. The use of airstrikes deep inside Cambodian territory marks a dangerous escalation, threatening civilians, cultural heritage sites, and regional stability. Cambodia is militarily outgunned, relying on international pressure and diplomacy, while Thailand frames its actions as defensive.

In 2025, this conflict is not just about disputed territory—it is about national identity, economic survival, and the fragility of peace in Southeast Asia. The risk of further escalation remains high unless external mediation succeeds.

Reports from mid‑December 2025 confirm that Thai airstrikes have reached Siem Reap province itself, not just the border.

  • Targets hit: Cambodian officials say bombs struck Srei Snam district in Siem Reap, damaging a bridge and hitting areas near shelters for displaced people.
  • Proximity to Angkor Wat: While Angkor Wat itself has not been directly attacked, the strikes are within the same province, raising fears that Cambodia’s most important cultural and tourist site could be at risk.
  • Civilian impact: Camps for displaced people in Siem Reap province have been threatened, with Cambodia warning that tourist hotspots are now in danger.
  • Depth of strikes: This marks a significant escalation—airstrikes are no longer confined to border areas like Oddar Meanchey, but are penetrating deep into Cambodian territory, roughly 100 km from the Thai border.

At least 20 Cambodians have been reported killed in the renewed border clashes and Thai airstrikes since early December 2025, with hundreds of thousands displaced.

📌 Current Death Toll

  • Initial clashes (Dec 8–9, 2025): Reports confirmed around 10 deaths as fighting spread to new parts of the border.
  • Escalation (Dec 11–15, 2025): Heavy airstrikes and artillery attacks pushed the toll higher, with about two dozen killed in total.
  • Cambodian civilians: Casualties include civilians near shelters and bridges in Siem Reap province, as well as soldiers along the border.

⚠️ Humanitarian Impact

  • Displacement: Cambodia says over 800,000 people have fled border provinces, with camps now under threat from bombing.
  • Infrastructure damage: Bridges, shelters, and areas near Siem Reap have been hit, raising fears for Angkor Wat and tourism.
  • Civilian risk: Airstrikes penetrating deep into Cambodian territory mean non‑combatants are increasingly at risk.

✨ Assessment

The death toll in Cambodia stands at roughly 20–25 people as of mid‑December 2025, but numbers are likely to rise as fighting continues. The scale of displacement is far larger, creating a humanitarian crisis that threatens both civilian safety and Cambodia’s economic lifeline in Siem Reap.