Analysis: Personal power struggle is behind the fighting – Thailand has the advantage
Thailand's military capability is considered to be clearly superior to Cambodia's, which together with Bangkok's strong connections to Washington could be an advantage in the conflict between the countries, writes Brad Lendon in an analysis on CNN.
Cambodia, on the other hand, has strong ties to China, but is completely dependent on support from Beijing to provide its soldiers with modern equipment. Cooperation between the countries is expected to "reach new levels and develop further" during the year, writes Lendon.
The latest fighting comes after decades of border conflict between the countries, but is different from previous violence, says The Guardian's Rebecca Ratcliffe.
A personal conflict between the countries' former leaders, Cambodia's Hun Sen and Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra, is said to have escalated in recent months. Their continued influence in the countries may have triggered the latest border fighting, writes Ratcliffe.
Thailand's military capability is considered to be clearly superior to Cambodia's, which together with Bangkok's strong connections to Washington could be an advantage in the conflict between the countries, writes Brad Lendon in an analysis on CNN.
Cambodia, on the other hand, has strong ties to China, but is completely dependent on support from Beijing to provide its soldiers with modern equipment. Cooperation between the countries is expected to "reach new levels and develop further" during the year, writes Lendon.
The latest fighting comes after decades of border conflict between the countries, but is different from previous violence, says The Guardian's Rebecca Ratcliffe.
A personal conflict between the countries' former leaders, Cambodia's Hun Sen and Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra, is said to have escalated in recent months. Their continued influence in the countries may have triggered the latest border fighting, writes Ratcliffe.
The border conflict — it's about the matter
- Armed fighting broke out between Thailand and Cambodia on the border on July 24, 2025.
- Thailand has carried out airstrikes with F-16 planes and Jas Gripen planes against Cambodian targets and both countries have closed their borders and recalled their ambassadors.
- Over 100,000 Thais have been evacuated from border provinces and a couple of thousand Cambodians have fled villages near the border after the clashes.
- Cambodia has accused Thailand of using cluster bombs, while Thailand has accused Cambodia of mining the border area; both countries rejected each other's accusations.
- The UN Security Council has planned an emergency meeting on the conflict and the Swedish embassy is urging Swedes in the area to be vigilant and follow the advice of the authorities.
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