Thailand declares martial law across 8 provinces along Cambodian border

Thailand declared martial law in 8 districts along its border with Cambodia as the two nations continued to exchange heavy artillery fire on July 25.

This was announced by the Commander of the Thai military's Border Defense Command in the provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat, Caliber.Az reports citing Thai news.

The military border commander informed the public that "martial law is now in effect" in seven districts of Chanthaburi and one district of Trat due to "Cambodia's use of force" to enter Thai territory.

The development comes just hours after Thai officials said that the country favours bilateral negotiations rather than third-party mediation to resolve the border dispute with Cambodia, which has been escalating in the past days.

Thailand warned Cambodia that its conflict could "potentially develop into a war", with acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai saying that Bangkok was committed to defending its territory and sovereignty.

According to Thailand's health ministry, at least 15 people have lost their lives in one of the worst Thai-Cambodian clashes in more than a decade.

"We have tried to compromise as we are neighbours, but we have now instructed the Thai military to act immediately in case of urgency," said Phumtham, who has been heading the government following the dramatic suspension of former PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra in July 2025 due to a scandal related to a leaked phone call with an influential Cambodian commander following a May 2025 military incident.

This latest conflict follows earlier clashes this year, including one that broke out between Thai and Cambodian forces, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier on May 28 related to the unresolved dispute over control of certain areas along the Thailand-Cambodia-Laos border.

By Nazrin Sadigova