Thailand has officially declared its northeastern Surin province a “war disaster zone”, treating the conflict like a natural calamity such as a flood or earthquake.
Thailand Declares Surin ‘War Disaster Zone’ Amid Border Clashes
The governor of Surin made the decision on July 27 after repeated and intense armed clashes erupted along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Thai authorities issued the official directive following weeks of violence, which escalated when rocket attacks and ground assaults began hitting both military bases and civilian areas. They elevated the conflict status to ensure swift mobilization of emergency resources to protect lives and infrastructure.
This marks one of the rare instances in recent Thai history where authorities have classified a conflict zone within the country as a disaster-level emergency. Local emergency services are now operating under this new status to manage evacuations, healthcare support, and essential supply chains for civilians affected in the region.
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Thailand Border Hit by Rocket Fire Targeting Civilians and Army
Clashes between Cambodian forces and Thai troops have been reported in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin, a region situated right on the Thai-Cambodian border. What began as sporadic skirmishes has now turned into organized and sustained rocket fire, including attacks using BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, commonly known as Grad rockets.
According to Thai media reports, the BM-21 rocket attacks have damaged not only army outposts but also critical civilian sites, including petrol stations and rural health centres. Cambodian rocket attacks deliberately target civilian areas to disrupt basic services and instill fear among the local population.
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Residents in border villages are evacuating their homes, with emergency responders and military escorts helping them relocate. Authorities have set up several shelters in safer parts of Surin to provide food, medicine, and basic care for people displaced by the violence.
Thai security analysts believe the Cambodian rocket attacks are part of a broader attempt to destabilize the border region. However, the Thai response has been swift and powerful, showcasing a significant shift in defensive posture.
Thai Air Force Strikes Back with F-16s and Gripens
In response to the escalating aggression from Cambodian forces, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) launched a strong aerial offensive. On July 26, the air force deployed two F-16 Fighting Falcons and two JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to strike Cambodian positions in the Phanom Dong Rak area.
On July 27, the Thai military escalated its response by deploying four additional F-16s to neutralize what it identified as “rocket dens” — areas where Thai intelligence believed Cambodian forces were launching BM-21 rockets into Thai territory.
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) stated that its pilots conducted the strikes with high precision, targeting military assets such as mobile rocket launchers and suspected supply lines near the border. Thai authorities carried out the operation under the country’s national security law, invoking the right to self-defense.
Although officials have not released casualty figures, videos from the region show thick smoke billowing from forested areas, indicating that the airstrikes likely hit Cambodian encampments directly. RTAF units reportedly returned safely after the mission.
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Military experts view the deployment of both F-16s and Gripens as a show of air power, designed to send a strong message that Thailand will not tolerate threats to its sovereignty or its civilians. These aircraft are among the most advanced in Thailand’s arsenal, capable of launching precision-guided bombs and operating in complex airspace conditions.
Meanwhile, border patrols have been reinforced with troops and armored vehicles, and surveillance drones have been deployed to monitor movement on the Cambodian side.