Smoke rises from a convenience store at a gas station, amid the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, Thailand, July 24, 2025. (Photo: TPBS/REUTERS)

She said the Thai military initiated the first armed assault against Cambodian forces and the Cambodian military exercised a self-defense response within its territorial integrity.

‘Fresh News’ quoted a senior Cambodian military official as saying that on Thursday morning, the Cambodian army responded after Thai forces opened fire first and blocked access to the Ta Moan Temple,  located in the border area.

‘The Bangkok Post’ quoted a statement from the Royal Thai Army asserting that on Thursday morning, Cambodian soldiers opened fire on a Thai military base in Surin province, northeastern Thailand.

According to deputy spokesperson for the Thai military Richa Suksuwanont, at least two Thai soldiers were injured in the clashes. 

Following the outbreak of military clashes on Thursday, the Cambodian government called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene in resolving the border conflict.

Earlier the same day, the Royal Government of Cambodia announced that it has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level – that of second chargé d’affaires. Cambodia has demanded that Thai diplomats leave Cambodia within a specified timeframe and recall all its staff at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.

The move followed a statement by Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who stated that the Thai Government had recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and asked the Cambodian ambassador to leave Thailand.