Thailand has carried out air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia after both countries accused one another of violating a recently brokered ceasefire. The agreement, facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump, was meant to ease tensions following a series of cross-border incidents.
Strains between the two nations increased last month when Thailand halted de-escalation measures after a Thai soldier was severely injured by a landmine. Thai authorities claim the mines were newly planted by Cambodian forces, a claim Phnom Penh strongly denies.
Cambodia’s military structure and capabilities reflect a defence budget of $1.3 billion for 2024 and a force of about 124,300 active personnel. Formed in 1993 through the merger of the former Communist military with two resistance forces, Cambodia’s army remains its largest component with nearly 75,000 soldiers. The country also maintains more than 200 battle tanks and roughly 480 artillery systems.
Thailand, designated by the United States as a major non-NATO ally, operates one of the region’s larger and more heavily funded militaries. With a 2024 defence budget of $5.73 billion, Thailand fields over 360,000 active personnel. The Thai army alone includes around 245,000 members, among them about 115,000 conscripts. Its ground capabilities feature approximately 400 battle tanks, more than 1,200 armoured personnel carriers, and around 2,600 artillery units.
Thailand’s army also maintains its own aviation assets, including transport aircraft, numerous U.S.-made Black Hawk helicopters, and a range of unmanned aerial vehicles. These capabilities underscore the scale and readiness of Thai forces as border tensions persist.
