The readiness of the Thai army is growing: border conflicts with Cambodia are coming to a head!

The readiness of the Thai army is growing: border conflicts with Cambodia are coming to a head!

Amid rising tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border, the Royal Thai Army appears well prepared. On October 13, 2025, General Worayos visited cavalry and artillery units in the region to review their tactical readiness. He presented morale-boosting gifts and held conversations with soldiers to promote the well-being of their families and explore support options, such as Nation of Thailand reported. “It is important that troops know that their efforts are valued,” Worayos stressed during his visit.

The situation at the border has steadily worsened in recent months. The Royal Thai Army announced that Cambodia initiated the recent border conflicts, which was discussed at a meeting of armed forces commanders at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters. The importance of cooperation between the military and police to ensure the security of citizens and defend national sovereignty was also highlighted Thailand News Day described in detail. Commander-in-Chief General Songwit Noonpakdee noted that security forces are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to act to ensure the nation's protection.

Security situation and border controls

The tensions are not new: fierce fighting broke out on July 25, 2025, claiming at least 15 lives, including 14 civilians and a Thai soldier ( daily news ). The Thai military even used fighter jets, while the Cambodian military responded with heavy weapons and artillery. The fighting, seen as an escalation of a decades-long border conflict, resulted in around 100,000 residents having to be moved to evacuation centers.

The Thai government responded to the rising tensions by closing all border checkpoints with Cambodia. There are reports of mutual attacks, with Thailand reporting Cambodian attacks on their positions and Cambodia accusing Thailand of dropping bombs. The allegations and the associated diplomatic tensions show how tense the situation actually is, rather off the beaten track.

Joint efforts for security

General Worayos and National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet reiterated that all relevant authorities will work together to ensure the safety of local residents. Their discussions emphasized the importance of public support for the security forces to maintain national stability. Worayos clarified that the support and trust in the First Army is an essential motivation for the soldiers to protect the Thai territory.

At the same time, there is an awareness of the concerns and expectations of local communities, which makes the readiness to defend national sovereignty even more urgent. It is all the more important that all sides pull together to prevent the situation from escalating and to ensure peace in the region.