Thailand's Martial Law Deploys 4 Warships to Support Operation Trat Phiri 1 Against Cambodia

TIMEMOMENTS.COM - Cambodia and Thailand, two neighboring countries in Southeast Asia are now engaged in a border conflict.

A dispute between the two countries broke out in the border region around Cambodia's Preah Vihear Province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province, reigniting tensions dating back to May 28, 2025, when a Cambodian soldier was killed.

The long-running dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, escalated dramatically on Thursday.

After tensions rose for several weeks over landmine incidents and diplomatic expulsions by both sides, heavy artillery and rocket attacks erupted near the site of the temples on the border between the two countries.

Citing the Thai Ministry of Health, Al Jazeera reported that continued bombing and shelling between the two sides has killed at least 11 civilians and a soldier in Thailand.

Quoted by Time Moments from the July 26, 2025 edition of Bangkok Biznews, Operation “Trat Phiri 1” was launched after Cambodia opened fire and expanded the area of clashes in Ban Chamrak, Trat Province.

At 05:10 on July 26, 2015, reporters reported that clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in the area along the Thai-Cambodian border had entered the third day.

"Cambodian soldiers opened up new territory and started attacking Thai soldiers at 05:10 in Ban Chamrak area, Trat Province.

Soldiers from the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Forces responded and began clashing.

Therefore, the Navy launched operation ‘Trat Phikhat Pairi 1’ to repulse and destroy the areas that Cambodian soldiers had entered on the Thai border at three points.

At 05.40, the Navy successfully repelled the Cambodian side," the Thai media explained in its article.

The Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command on July 25, 2025 reportedly announced the imposition of martial law in some areas, as Cambodia appears to have used force and weapons to attack the Kingdom of Thailand along the border.

Therefore, the use of military force, police, civilians, and all Thai citizens to protect the country from threats coming from outside the Kingdom is inevitable.

"In order to safeguard the sovereignty of the nation and territorial integrity, as well as the lives and property of the Thai people, it is necessary to establish martial law in some additional areas, in accordance with the authority stipulated in Article 176 paragraph two of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, together with Article 4 of the Martial Law Act, B.E. 2457.

Therefore, martial law will be imposed in the following additional areas:

1. Chanthaburi Province, Chanthaburi Mueang District, Tha Mai District, Makham District, Laem Sing District, Kaeng Hang Maeo District, Na Yai Am District, and Khao Khitchakut District

2. Trat Province, Khao Saming District, from now on.

Then, there is an announcement from the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command (Special) No. 1290/2568 regarding the closure of border crossings along the Thai-Cambodian border, both on land and at sea, in accordance with measures to strengthen the maintenance of sovereignty along the Thai-Cambodian border, both on land and at sea, in the areas of Chanthaburi and Trat provinces," Bangkok Biznews explained.

The martial law implemented by Thailand is said to stipulate measures such as:

1. Prohibiting entry and exit of all types of vehicles.

2. Avoid traveling in and out of the country for people, all types of trade, and Thai and foreign tourists.

3. Avoid sea travel in Thai waters (areas under the responsibility of Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command).

Meanwhile, the July 26, 2025 edition of Thai Post reported Thailand's 1st Naval Region has dispatched a special task force of 4 ships to Koh Kood, ready to provide fire support to ground forces within 1 minute if ordered.

In operation Trat Phichit Pairi 1, they moved forward to secure the coastline and forest area in a full-scale attack.

The security unit of the Royal Thai Navy on July 26, 2025 at 08:20 reported that Naval Region 1 under the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command has organized a border defense fleet and dispatched a special task force consisting of 4 ships to support “Operation Trat Phiri 1” in the area of Koh Kood and Ban Hat Lek Districts, Trat Province.

"The task force consists of fast warships and warships capable of providing fire support to ground troops, and the armaments of these ships are among the most feared by the Cambodian military in the conflict zone.

The maritime task force is on combat alert. If they receive an order or request, they can immediately provide ground support within 1 minute," the Thai media outlet said.

Before Thailand launched Operation “Trat Pikhat Pairee 1” (Trat Attack 1), Cambodia apparently asked for peace.

In fact, quoted by Time Moments from the July 26, 2025 edition of Antara, Cambodia on Friday (25/7/2025) reportedly called for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire at a UN Security Council meeting related to the dispute with Thailand, and UNSC members urged both parties to exercise restraint, said Cambodia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Keo Chhea.

“Cambodia is calling for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, and we are also calling for a peaceful resolution of this dispute,” Chhea told journalists.

“The Security Council calls on both sides to exercise restraint, exercise maximum restraint, and pursue a diplomatic solution," Antara wrote in its article. ***