BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH – Thailand and Cambodia are at war again, with Thai F-16 jets bombing Cambodian military targets in a shocking escalation of their border feud. At least nine people, including kids, are dead, thousands are fleeing, and both countries have cut diplomatic ties, leaving the region on edge.

Border Clash Turns Deadly

The chaos kicked off Thursday morning near ancient temples in the disputed Emerald Triangle, where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet. Thailand says a Cambodian drone snooped near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province around 7:35 AM, followed by Cambodian soldiers firing on a Thai military post. Cambodia claims Thai troops invaded their land first, sparking a firefight with rockets and artillery.

By noon, Thailand unleashed six F-16 jets, with one dropping bombs on two Cambodian military posts in Oddar Meanchey province, wiping them out. Thailand’s military called it a “precision strike.” Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet slammed the attack as “barbaric,” vowing to hit back. Unconfirmed social media claims of a downed Thai jet are swirling, but no proof has surfaced.

Civilians Caught in Crossfire

The violence has killed at least nine, including a five-year-old Thai boy and two civilians hit by Cambodian rocket fire in Surin. Thailand says Cambodia shelled a hospital, forcing patients to evacuate. Cambodia reports civilian deaths too, with villages near the border under fire. Both sides have shut down border crossings, and Thailand’s evacuated 40,000 people from danger zones. Videos show families hiding in bunkers as gunfire echoes.

Old Feud, New Bloodshed

This isn’t new. Thailand and Cambodia have been fighting over border temples like Preah Vihear for decades. A 1962 ruling gave Cambodia the main temple, but Thailand disputes it, and clashes in 2011 left 20 dead. Recent landmine blasts—Thailand blames Cambodia, who denies it—pushed tensions to a boiling point. Both countries have now expelled diplomats, and Cambodia’s calling for UN intervention.

Political Chaos Fuels Fire

Thailand’s government is in turmoil, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended after a leaked call criticizing her own military. Cambodia’s Hun Manet, meanwhile, is gearing up for mandatory conscription in 2026, signaling a long fight ahead. The U.S. hasn’t commented, but the UK’s warning travelers to steer clear of the border.

What’s Next?

With fighting raging at multiple border points, including Ta Krabey Temple, the risk of a bigger war looms. ASEAN needs to step in fast to cool things down, but both sides are digging in. For now, civilians are paying the price in a conflict that’s more about pride than progress.

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