China blames West for Thailand-Cambodia clashes; Know the military power of both nations

Fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border has left more than a dozen dead and forced over 130,000 people to flee their homes, as fears grow that the violence could spiral into full-scale war. As the conflict entered its third day, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi blamed “Western colonialists” for sowing the seeds of the dispute more than a century ago.

“The root cause of this issue lies in the lingering consequence left by Western colonialists in the past, and it now needs to be faced calmly and handled properly,” Wang said on Friday(July 25).

Wang Yi expressed Beijing’s willingness to help defuse the conflict, describing the loss of life as “deeply distressing and concerning.” However, he also placed blame on Western powers for the roots of the crisis.


The border clashes erupted Thursday with tanks, rockets, and fighter jets deployed by both sides. Thailand confirmed at least 14 deaths, including an eight-year-old child and a soldier, and 46 injuries. Cambodian officials reported one civilian killed and four others wounded, but full casualty numbers remain unclear.

Locals reported hearing sporadic explosions and the heavy thump of artillery, as a Thai military spokesperson confirmed the clashes had spread to 12 different areas. Thailand’s interim prime minister cautioned that the unrest could escalate into a full-scale war, with tens of thousands already being evacuated from affected regions.

“We have tried to compromise as we are neighbours, but we have now instructed the Thai military to act immediately in case of urgency,” Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said. “If the situation escalates, it could develop into war, though for now, it remains limited to clashes.”

Thousands displaced amid rising tension

More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s northeastern provinces, while over 1,500 Cambodian families have fled border towns, officials said.

The fighting marks the worst escalation in the region in over a decade, stemming from a border drawn in 1907 by French colonial authorities. Though international courts have largely ruled in Cambodia’s favor in past disputes, Thailand has refused to accept the verdicts.

Politics adds fuel to the fire

The latest clashes come amid a political scandal involving leaked audio between Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s suspended prime minister, and Hun Sen, the powerful father of Cambodia’s current premier. The fallout has fractured relations between the once-close Shinawatra and Hun families.

On Thursday night, former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the army should “teach Hun Sen a lesson,” calling his former ally “cunning.”

Hun Sen hit back on Facebook, accusing Thaksin of “warlike tone” and “military aggression.”

Military power gap between the two countries

When it comes to military strength, Thailand holds a significant edge over its neighbor, Cambodia. Thailand’s defense budget stands at $5.73 billion, more than four times Cambodia’s $1.3 billion. Thailand fields a formidable 360,000 active military personnel, compared to Cambodia’s 24,300.

The Thai Army boasts 245,000 soldiers, 400 battle tanks, and 2,600 artillery weapons, while Cambodia’s army includes 75,000 soldiers, 200 tanks, and 480 artillery pieces.

In naval capabilities, Thailand’s 70,000-strong Navy includes an aircraft carrier, seven frigates, and 68 patrol and combat vessels, dwarfing Cambodia’s 2,800 naval personnel and 13 patrol combat vessels.

The air forces show a similar disparity; Cambodia has just 1,500 personnel, 20 transport planes, and a limited fleet of 26 helicopters, whereas Thailand’s 46,000-strong Air Force operates 112 combat-capable aircraft, including 28 F-16s and 11 Gripen fighter jets.

Calls for calm intensify

Global pressure to de-escalate is mounting. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session on Friday, while the US, UK, France, China, and ASEAN countries called for restraint.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, current ASEAN chair, said both countries had shown “positive signals” toward peace and dialogue.

But on the ground, the guns have not fallen silent. The Thai military reported renewed Cambodian rocket attacks early Friday, responding with “appropriate supporting fire.”