Latest news with #RoyalCambodianArmedForces
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Cross-border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand leave at least 13 dead
PHNOM PENH — At least eight Cambodian civilians and five soldiers were killed in cross-border fighting with Thailand, the Cambodian Defense Ministry confirmed on Saturday. Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata reported that 21 Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) personnel and at least 50 civilians were injured during intense artillery exchanges that began Thursday. The clashes have displaced 35,829 Cambodian civilians from high-risk areas in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces, according to the ministry. On the Thai side, 15 fatalities have been reported, including one soldier, and thousands have been displaced due to the ongoing violence. The fighting entered its third consecutive day, with Thailand deploying fighter jets and Cambodia launching rockets. Both nations have accused each other of initiating the gunfire. The border dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors stretches along Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern Ubon Ratchathani have been rising since May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in the region. — Agencies
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Cambodia is outmanned and outgunned by Thailand: Peace is the only way out — Phar Kim Beng
JULY 26 — In the jagged terrain of Southeast Asia's fragile borders, the escalating military skirmishes between Cambodia and Thailand risk plunging the region into a crisis that neither side can truly afford. As artillery fire continues to echo across disputed territories, the military imbalance between the two neighbours has become unmistakably clear. Cambodia is outmanned, outgunned, and overwhelmed — and that is precisely why peace, not provocation, must be its path forward. Thailand's military superiority is not just symbolic; it is overwhelming in both scale and sophistication. With a defense budget exceeding US$5.7 billion, Thailand commands a force of more than 360,000 active personnel, including 115,000 conscripts. The Thai army boasts around 400 main battle tanks, over 1,200 armored personnel carriers, and more than 2,600 artillery systems. Its air force is equipped with 112 combat aircraft, including US-made F-16 Fighting Falcons and Swedish Gripens, supported by a fleet of helicopters and unmanned drones. Contrast this with Cambodia: with a defense budget of US$1.3 billion and just over 124,000 active personnel, its army may be the backbone of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, but it lacks the technological edge and strategic depth. Cambodia operates around 200 tanks and 480 artillery pieces, but it has no fighter jets and relies on transport aircraft, Chinese Z-9 helicopters, and Soviet-era hardware for air mobility and reconnaissance. Its naval forces are limited to a handful of patrol boats and one amphibious craft, dwarfed by Thailand's navy, which even includes an aircraft carrier. This imbalance raises the critical question: why would Cambodia engage in a confrontation it cannot win ? The answer lies in a cocktail of nationalism, economic desperation, and the erosion of trust along a volatile border. With Cambodia's military still modernizing and the economy deeply entangled in informal and illicit cross-border trades — from gambling syndicates to scam centers — the desire to assert sovereignty and resist Thai incursions may seem politically expedient, but it is strategically unwise. Cambodia's former strongman, Hun Sen, and his dynastic successor, Prime Minister Hun Manet, appear locked in a generational dilemma. On one hand, they must project strength to maintain internal legitimacy. On the other, they face a Thai military establishment that is not only more capable but also enjoys tacit backing from a population hardened by conscription and nationalistic fervor. Thailand has reportedly used F-16 fighter jets to patrol its border regions, a move that sends a clear message: escalation will be met with overwhelming force. Yet war is not destiny. The human cost of the current military exchange — which has already claimed civilian lives — far outweighs any conceivable strategic gain. Beyond the battlefield, the region risks undermining the ASEAN spirit of non-intervention and mutual respect, painstakingly cultivated since the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. If ASEAN is to remain relevant, it must now act not just as a platform for dialogue but as a mechanism for preemptive de-escalation. This is where diplomacy must replace artillery. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines — the founding members of ASEAN — should take the lead in forming an emergency Troika with Laos and the Philippines, the immediate past and incoming ASEAN Chairs, respectively. Such a mechanism, rooted in ASEAN traditions of quiet diplomacy and consensus-building, could help mediate a ceasefire and initiate demilitarization around the Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom temples, the epicenters of tension. Thailand, too, must show restraint. Military dominance should not breed arrogance. In fact, the Thai armed forces would be better served focusing on cracking down on cross-border criminal enterprises that harm both nations. That includes human trafficking rings, cyber scam centers, and illicit border trade — problems that threaten not just Cambodia and Thailand, but the credibility of ASEAN as an emerging economic bloc. Cambodia, for its part, must criminalize these networks and rein in local warlords and commanders who profit from chaos. The stakes are too high for brinkmanship. Cambodia is not just facing a military mismatch; it is confronting a strategic abyss. Its lack of air superiority, naval deterrence, and technological parity makes protracted conflict a suicidal proposition. Thailand may win a war of weapons, but ASEAN will lose the war of unity. Peace is not a sign of weakness. For Cambodia, it is the only rational and moral course left. Only by embracing de-escalation, demilitarization, and ASEAN-led diplomacy can both nations step back from the edge and prove that Southeast Asia's century will not be defined by old grievances or new wars — but by the courage to choose peace when war seems inevitable. ** Phar Kim Beng, PhD, is Professor of ASEAN Studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) and the Director of the Institute of Internationalization and ASEAN Studies (IINTAS). ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Thailand vs Cambodia: As border fight escalates, one army resembles a toy against the other's war machine; Military mismatch explained
Synopsis Recent armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, the worst in over a decade, have spotlighted their military disparity. Thailand, with a $5.73 billion defence budget and 360,000 personnel, dwarfs Cambodia's $1.3 billion budget and 124,300 troops. Thailand's air force boasts F-16 fighters, while Cambodia lacks fighter jets. Thailand vs Cambodia: One has fighter jets, the other doesn't, the military gap that could decide the clash Tensions that had been simmering for months between Cambodia and Thailand erupted into armed conflict on Thursday, the worst skirmish between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade. With even a Thai F-16 fighter jet reportedly deployed, the latest flare-up has reignited interest in how the two countries compare a breakdown of the military capabilities of Cambodia and Thailand, based on data from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Cambodia maintains a defence budget of $1.3 billion and fields 124,300 active personnel. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, formed in 1993 through a merger of former Communist and resistance groups, rely heavily on ground troops. The Cambodian army consists of around 75,000 soldiers, supported by 200+ battle tanks and 480 artillery contrast, Thailand boasts a significantly larger and better-funded force. With a 2024 defence budget of $5.73 billion and over 360,000 active personnel, Thailand's military dwarfs its neighbour's. The Thai army alone has 245,000 personnel, including 115,000 conscripts, and is equipped with 400 tanks, 1,200+ armoured personnel carriers, and 2,600 artillery air force is relatively modest, just 1,500 personnel, 10 transport planes, and 10 helicopters. It doesn't operate any fighter jets. The most notable aircraft in its fleet include 16 multi-role helicopters, with six Soviet-era Mi-17s and 10 Chinese Z-9s. On the other hand, Thailand's air force is among the best equipped in the region. With 46,000 personnel, it commands 112 combat-capable aircraft, including 28 F-16 Fighting Falcons and 11 Swedish Gripens. Its arsenal also includes surveillance drones and a fleet of transport and attack helicopters, including several U.S.-made Black navy is modest, with 2,800 personnel (including 1,500 naval infantry), 13 patrol/coastal vessels, and a single amphibious landing navy is a maritime heavyweight by comparison. With nearly 70,000 personnel, it includes naval aviation, coastal defence units, marines, and conscripts. Its fleet features: 1 aircraft carrier 7 frigates 68 patrol and coastal vessels Amphibious ships and landing craft capable of transporting hundreds of troops Its marine corps alone has 23,000 troops, supported by armoured vehicles and aviation assets such as helicopters and UAVs. While Cambodia has made steady investments in its armed forces, it remains significantly outmatched by Thailand in terms of manpower, equipment, and budget. Thailand's position as a major non-NATO ally of the United States ensures access to high-end military hardware and training. Inputs from Reuters
The Star
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia claims Thai cyclists violated temple agreement
Ta Moan Thom temple, in a photograph taken in February. - Nhoem Sidet via FB PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of National Defence has warned that Thailand violated an agreement between the armed forces of both countries, which specifies designated times for accessing the Ta Moan Thom Temple. In a statement issued on Sunday (June 22), a ministry spokesperson said that at approximately 7.30am, three Thai soldiers led a group of about 150 Thai cyclists into the premises of Ta Moan Thom Temple without prior notification to Cambodian troops. 'This action is a clear violation of the agreement between the two parties, which stipulates specific times for temple access from 9am to 3pm. "The same agreement also requires that any request for an extension or special arrangements must be notified and agreed upon in advance by both parties to ensure smooth coordination and prevent any misunderstandings,' added the statement. In response to this irregular situation, the defence ministry explained that the Cambodian armed forces intervened immediately with responsibility, understanding and professionalism, reminding the Thai side to adhere to the terms of the agreed-upon arrangement. Following the guidance, the group of cyclists left the temple area without any further incident. 'Cambodia urges the Thai side to strictly adhere to the terms of the existing agreement with rigor, transparency and sincerity,' said the statement. It noted that compliance with the agreement is crucial for maintaining trust and mutual respect, avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings and preventing unfortunate incidents, which are outcomes the Cambodian side does not wish to see. 'The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces reaffirm their unwavering commitment to protecting the territorial integrity of the nation and managing the situation at Ta Moan Thom Temple through peaceful means, with responsibility and high professionalism. 'All measures taken are fully in line with existing bilateral agreements, aimed at fostering a conducive environment for peace, security and cooperation along the border, to strengthen good neighbourly relations and bring benefits to the people of both nations,' added the statement. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
HKFP
14-05-2025
- Business
- HKFP
From warships to robot battle dogs: Cambodia, China begin largest-ever military drills
Cambodia and China on Wednesday began their largest-ever joint military exercises, involving advanced Chinese military hardware including artillery, warships and robot battle dogs. Cambodia has long been a staunch ally of China, receiving billions of dollars in investments, and Washington has voiced concerns that Beijing is using a Cambodian naval base it renovated on Gulf of Thailand to expand its influence in the region. Nearly 900 Chinese military personnel and more than 1,300 Cambodian soldiers are taking part in the drills that will last until May 28, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) said in a statement. The drills will feature advanced Chinese military hardware, including armoured vehicles, helicopters, warships, reconnaissance drones and robot battle dogs, the statement said. It said the annual exercises were to 'develop deeper ties and cooperation' between the two armies. 'The exercises are bigger than last year in term of both personnel and equipment,' RCAF spokesman Thong Solimo told AFP. He said a large Chinese naval vessel, the Changbai Shan, docked at Cambodia's Beijing-renovated Ream Naval Base on Monday with the military equipment for the drills. Cambodian political analyst Ou Virak told AFP that 'China does want to flex its muscle' and to send a message that 'it's a superpower' through the exercises, dubbed Golden Dragon. 'Definitely China is trying to… grow its influence within the region,' he said. 'Beyond just flexing the muscle, it needs to build confidence amongst its partners to say to the partners that China is growing, China is expanding, China is also getting stronger, both in size but also in technological advancement, as well as military might,' Ou Virak added. Cambodia is also expected to receive two warships from China. The first Golden Dragon drills were held in 2016, and in early 2017 Cambodia scrapped a similar joint exercise — 'Angkor Sentinel' — which had been held for the preceding seven years with US forces. The drills follow a two-day visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Cambodia in April to deepen ties between the two countries.
