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Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Thai-Cambodian conflict pits a well-equipped US ally against a weaker adversary with strong China links
The deadly conflict on the Thai-Cambodian border pits a longtime United States ally with decades of experience against a relatively young armed force with close ties to China. Bangkok and Phnom Penh are fighting over territory disputed since colonial power France drew the border between them more than a century ago. Clashes continued into Saturday, according to officials on both sides. More than a dozen people have been reported killed, dozens wounded, and more than 150,000 civilians evacuated since fighting began on Thursday. Here's a look at the histories and capabilities of the two sides. Numbers favor Thailand Thailand's military dwarfs that of neighboring Cambodia, both in personnel and weaponry. Thailand's total of 361,000 active-duty personnel spread across all branches of the kingdom's military is three times Cambodia's. And those troops have at their disposal weaponry their Cambodian counterparts could only dream of. 'Thailand has a large, well-funded military and its air force is one of the best equipped and trained in Southeast Asia,' the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) wrote in its 'Military Balance 2025' look at the world's armed forces. Meanwhile, a 2024 ranking of the military capabilities of 27 regional nations by the Lowy Institute places Thailand at 14th, to Cambodia's 23rd. Such a disparity is perhaps to be expected, given Thailand has four times as many people as Cambodia, and a GDP more than 10 times larger. Unlike Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, it escaped the ravages of the wars that engulfed the region in the second half of the 20th century, and the European colonialism that preceded them. Overall, with factors including military, economic, diplomatic and cultural power weighed in the Lowy Asia Power Index, Thailand is ranked 10th, considered a middle power, just behind Indonesia but ahead of countries including Malaysia and Vietnam. Lowy ranks Cambodia as a minor power in Asia, grouped with countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Laos. Thailand has strong US ties, global outlook Thailand's military has long been a major player in the kingdom's politics. The country has for years been dominated by a conservative establishment comprising the military, the monarchy and influential elites. Generals have seized power in 20 coups since 1932, often toppling democratic governments, according to the CIA World Factbook, and the military portrays itself as the ultimate defender of the monarchy. Thailand is a United States treaty ally, a status dating back to the signing of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, also known as the Manila Pact, in 1954, according to the US State Department. During the Vietnam War, Thailand hosted US Air Force assets at some air bases, including B-52 bombers, and tens of thousands Thai troops fought on the side of the US-backed South Vietnam against the communist North. Strong ties between Washington and Bangkok have endured. Thailand is classed as a major non-NATO ally by the US, giving it special benefits that have enabled it to enjoy access to decades of US support for its weapons programs. Thailand and the US Indo-Pacific Command co-host the annual Cobra Gold military exercise, which began in 1982 as joint drills with the US but has since added dozens of other participants. It's the longest-running international military exercise in the world, according to the US military. Besides Cobra Gold, Thai and US forces hold more than 60 exercises together, and more than 900 US aircraft and 40 Navy ships visit Thailand yearly, the US State Department says. Despite all that history with Washington, these days the Thai military tries to maintain a more neutral approach to military policy, increasing ties with China in the past decade. Not wanting to rely on any one country as its arms supplier, it has also developed a strong domestic weapons industry, with the help of countries such as Israel, Italy, Russia, South Korea and Sweden, the 'Military Balance' report says. Cambodia's Chinese support Cambodia's military is young in comparison to Thailand's, established in 1993 after forces of the communist government were merged with two non-communist resistance armies, according to the IISS. 'Cambodia's most important international defense links are with China and Vietnam. Despite a traditional reliance on Russia for defense equipment, China has emerged as a key supplier,' the IISS says. Beijing has even developed a naval base in Cambodia. The Ream Naval Base, on the Gulf of Thailand, would be able to host Chinese aircraft carriers, according to international analysts. Cambodia and China completed the seventh edition of their annual Golden Dragon joint military exercise in May, which was touted as the largest ever and featured live-fire training scenarios. It's a relationship that's expected to reach 'a new level and achieve new development' this year, according to a February report on the People's Liberation Army's English-language website. 'China and Cambodia are iron-clad friends who… always support each other. The two militaries enjoy unbreakable relations and rock-solid brotherhood,' Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Col. Wu Qian told a press conference in February, when asked about possible fissures in relations. Cambodia's military needs the support. 'Cambodia currently lacks the ability to design and manufacture modern equipment for its armed forces,' the IISS report says. Weapons on each side Bolstered by years of US support, the Royal Thai Air Force is well equipped, with at least 11 modern Swedish Gripen fighter jets and dozens of older, US-made F-16 and F-5 jets, according to the IISS. Cambodia has no combat-capable air force to speak of. On the ground, Thailand has dozens of battle tanks, including 60 modern, Chinese-made VT-4 tanks, and hundreds of older, US-made tanks. Cambodia has about 200 old Chinese- and Soviet-made tanks, the 'Military Balance' shows. The Thai army boasts more than 600 artillery pieces, including at least 56 powerful 155mm weapons and more than 550 105mm towed guns. Cambodia has only a dozen 155mm guns with around 400 smaller towed artillery pieces, according to IISS figures. In the air, the army has US-made Cobra attack helicopters as well as 18 US Black Hawk transports. Cambodia has only a few dozen older Soviet and Chinese transport helicopters. What comes next Hawaii-based military analyst Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center, said that while Thailand has the numerical and qualitative military advantage, Cambodia has at least one thing in its favor – the actual land along the disputed border. 'Terrain favors access from Cambodian territory to the disputed area,' Schuster told CNN. And with Cambodian forces allegedly laying landmines and booby traps in the disputed area, Thailand can be expected to rely on longer-range weaponry, he said. 'The Royal Thai Air Force is superior and their special forces are superior,' Schuster said. 'I think the Thais will prefer to emphasize air power and long-range firepower in the conflict.' Solve the daily Crossword
Entrepreneur
44 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
Roast Foods Secures Strategic Funding at Undisclosed Valuation
This investment will accelerate Roast Foods' global expansion, enhance its manufacturing capabilities and development of new products. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Roast Foods, a healthy snacking company, announced that it has secured strategic funding at an undisclosed valuation. This investment will accelerate Roast Foods' global expansion, enhance its manufacturing capabilities and development of new products. Soniya Raisoni, Founder of Roast Foods, said, "This capital infusion will be instrumental in scaling our operations and bringing our healthy, roasted snacks to a wider global audience. We firmly believe that the international snacking market presents immense potential for growth." Piyush Raisoni added: "Our focus will be on strengthening our export footprint, enhancing production efficiency with state-of-the-art technology, and continually innovating to meet the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers worldwide. This investment marks a pivotal moment for Roast Foods as we enter our next phase of growth." "Every parent today seeks healthier snacking options for their children and Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly conscious of what they consume. Snacking has become a massive global opportunity, especially in our fast-paced, post-COVID lives. Our association with Roast Foods is built on a shared commitment to bringing the best to this space," said Neel Pagariya, Director, Pagariya Exports Pvt Ltd. "With our scale, expertise, and strong belief in Roast Foods, we are confident that this brand will grow into a leading name in its category," added Umesh Pagariya, Managing Director (MD) of Pagariya Exports Pvt Ltd. Founded by Soniya Raisoni and Piyush Raisoni, Roast Foods has rapidly emerged in the healthy snacking space, aiming to offer nutritious, roasted alternatives to conventional snacks. The founders have identified significant opportunities in global markets, where they foresee both strong demand and better margins. Roast Foods currently operates a manufacturing facility in Phulgaon, Pune and exports its products to markets including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The company recently bagged orders from Walmart Canada, a significant milestone that reinforces its international appeal and market readiness. Roast Foods remains committed to its mission of making healthy snacking accessible and enjoyable for consumers across the globe.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Military Clash Between Thailand and Cambodia Expands Along Shared Border
Thai and Cambodian forces attacked each other in the Thai province of Trat on Saturday, creating a new front in the battle over their shared border and diminishing hopes of an early cease-fire as the armed fight entered a third day. At least 32 people have died in the conflict, which began on Thursday with an eruption of violence near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an ancient temple claimed by both nations. The clash began after two months of tension over contested territory. In Thailand, at least 13 civilians and six soldiers have been killed. In Cambodia, there have been at least 13 deaths, including five soldiers. It is the deadliest conflict between the two decades-long adversaries in 14 years. Thai authorities said that Cambodian troops expanded their attack zone to the area of Ban Chamrak in Trat Province, part of southeastern Thailand, at 5:10 a.m. on Saturday. The Thai naval forces, who aid in land defense in that part of the country, said that within half an hour they had succeeded in pushing Cambodian forces back. Cambodia said it was Thai troops who expanded the conflict, firing into several areas including Cambodia's Pursat Province, which borders Trat, according to Maly Socheata, a spokeswoman for Cambodia's defense ministry. The Pursat and Trat provinces are about 200 miles south of where the conflict began on Thursday. Ms. Maly Socheata, who was addressing reporters at a news conference, did not take questions, so it was not possible to confirm a Thai statement from Friday saying that the Thai forces had killed approximately 100 Cambodian soldiers. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
