• Source:JND
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Thailand-Cambodia border clash:  In the most intense escalation of hostilities in over a decade, Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged heavy artillery fire across multiple flashpoints along their long-disputed border. The renewed violence has already claimed at least 20 lives and displaced more than 130,000 civilians, underscoring both the fragility of regional diplomacy and the significant military imbalance between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

At the heart of this conflict lies the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has long been contested despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in Cambodia’s favour in 1962 and again in 2013. The ongoing shelling has reportedly damaged parts of the temple complex, igniting global concern. While Cambodia has called for an “immediate, unconditional ceasefire”, Thailand has accused its neighbour of “barbaric attacks on civilians” and cited the need for operations in “self-defence”. While Malaysia, US, and China are carrying on with diplomatic endeavors side by side, the recent military skirmishes pose an urgent question that whose military is stronger, Thailand's or Cambodia's? A careful comparative study of their defence force, equipment, and capabilities provides a clear indication of the huge differences between the two.

Military Budgets And Strength Of Personnel

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Thailand's 2024 defence budget is USD 5.73 billion, more than four times greater than Cambodia's USD 1.3 billion. This economic superiority allows Thailand to have a more advanced, better-equipped, and more highly trained military across all services.

With More than 360,000 active military personnel, of which 245,000 belong to the army. Thailand also has 200,000 reserve forces and 25,000 paramilitary forces. Whereas Cambodia consists of approximately 221,000 active personnel, with no formal reserve force, and a smaller paramilitary unit of 10,000. Thailand's conscription system spews more than 115,000 men into active duty annually, whereas its population base (almost 70 million) dwarfs Cambodia's (17 million), providing it with a deeper well of prospective recruits.

Land Power

With regard to ground combat forces, Thailand once again has a significant advantage in technology as well as quantity—except in one category.

• Battle Tanks: Cambodia possesses 644 tanks, which is just a little higher than Thailand's 635, and thus has a slim advantage in main battle tanks.
• Armoured Vehicles: Thailand dominates with 16,935 armoured vehicles compared with Cambodia's 3,627.
• Artillery: Thailand has 50 self-propelled guns and 589 towed guns, while Cambodia has 30 and 430, respectively.

Cambodia, however, has 463 mobile rocket launchers, the 10th highest in the world, compared to Thailand's 26. This saturation firepower emphasis can be a tactical leveler in close-range fights.

Air Power

In terms of air power, Thailand's dominance is overwhelming. Cambodia has no fighter aircraft but makes do with helicopters and utility planes for mobility and limited fire support. Thailand possesses 492 total aircraft, including 72 fighter jets (28 F-16s and 11 Gripen jets), 20 attack aircraft, and 258 helicopters (including 7 attack variants). Whereas Cambodia has 25 aircraft in total, mostly transport and utility helicopters; no jets or combat helicopters. The air superiority of Thailand can be seen from its recent operation of sending an F-16 against Cambodian targets, a strategic advantage that Cambodia is unable to counter.

Naval Power

The Royal Thai Navy is massive compared to the Cambodian Navy in terms of manpower and capability. With almost 70,000 naval personnel, including a marine force of 23,000. The navy commands 293 assets, comprising 7 frigates, 6 corvettes, 1 helicopter carrier, and 49 patrol boats. But the Cambodian Navy consists of only 2,800 naval personnel and 20 ships in total—primarily small patrol craft and a single landing ship. It doesn't have any frigates, corvettes, or amphibious vessels. The Thai naval aviation and mine warfare branches provide additional depth to its maritime operations, making it a preeminent coastal power in Southeast Asia.

Logistics & Infrastructure

A contemporary military requires good logistics and infrastructure for support operations.

• Airports: Thailand has 106 airports, while Cambodia has only 13.
• Ports: Thailand has 21 seaports; Cambodia only has 2.
• Road & Rail: Thailand's 180,000+ km of roads and 4,127 km of rail have better mobility. Cambodia lags behind at only 47,263 km of roads and 642 km of railways.
• Merchant Marine Fleet: Thailand's fleet is 884 ships, while Cambodia possesses 195.

Thailand's solid infrastructure accommodates speedy troop deployment, supply chain logistics, and strategic mobility, key components of wartime logistics.

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Natural Resources & Economic Power

Thailand's military strength is supplemented by a considerably stronger economy and local resource base.

• Oil & Gas: Thailand produces oil and natural gas in considerable amounts, while Cambodia hasn't reported any production.
• Coal Reserves: Thailand has more than 1 billion tons; Cambodia has no coal reserves.
• Foreign Reserves: Thailand maintains more than USD 224 billion in foreign reserves compared to Cambodia's USD 17.8 billion.

These economic metrics not only aid Thailand's defence industry but also act as strategic cushions against extended conflict.

In Global Firepower's 2024 rankings, Thailand has a Power Index (PwrIndx) of 0.4536 in 25th place in the world, while Cambodia has an index of 2.0752, placed at 95 among 145 countries. This enormous chasm shows the sheer dominance of Thailand over China in air power, naval power, logistics, infrastructure, and general economic power.

ALSO READ: Cambodia Calls For Unconditional Ceasefire Amid Fierce Border Fighting With Thailand

Although Cambodia has made concentrated investments in rocket systems and artillery, Thailand maintains a commanding lead in each of the critical areas—air, sea, land, and logistics. Possessing advanced fighter aircraft, professional naval capability, and robust infrastructure, Thailand is much better equipped to endure a long war. But military dominance does not ensure a peaceful outcome. As both countries exchange blame and artillery, regional mediation through ASEAN and the United Nations Security Council is the most likely avenue for de-escalation. Until then, the military imbalance will remain stark, and the risks of further civilian casualties and cultural heritage destruction continue to rise.