The worst armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand in more than ten years has broken out after months of growing tension between the two countries in Southeast Asia. After a Cambodian soldier was killed in May, fighting – which has its roots in long-standing border disputes – has intensified into an active military conflict. China and Malaysia are among the regional and international powers that have called for moderation, and ASEAN chair Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised to mediate.
The recent flare-up demonstrates the stark differences between the militaries of the two nations. With an estimated 124,300 active personnel and a $1.3 billion defence budget for 2024, Cambodia maintains a small but well-organised military, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. 75,000 soldiers, more than 200 battle tanks, and almost 480 artillery units make up its army, which was created in 1993 by combining three separate forces.
Thailand, on the other hand, has one of the strongest armies in the area. With a $5.73 billion defence budget for 2024, it has about 360,000 members in its armed forces, 245,000 of whom are in the army, including 115,000 conscripts. Thailand is a major non-NATO ally of the United States, which provides logistical and equipment support to the Thai army, which fields nearly 400 battle tanks, 1,200 armoured personnel carriers, and over 2,600 artillery systems.
With only 1,500 personnel, no fighter jets, and a reliance on 16 multi-role helicopters and a few transport aircraft, Cambodia’s air force is severely undersized. With 46,000 soldiers and 112 combat-ready aircraft, including 28 American F-16s and 11 Swedish Gripen fighters, Thailand has one of the best air forces in Southeast Asia.
Naval forces exhibit a similar disparity. There are only 14 ships and 2,800 personnel in Cambodia’s navy. With almost 70,000 soldiers, including 23,000 marines, Thailand’s navy is much more powerful. Its fleet consists of seven frigates, an aircraft carrier, and numerous amphibious ships, helicopters, and combat ships. The glaring military disparity highlights Cambodia’s relative vulnerability and prompts serious worries about regional escalation in the event that diplomacy fails.
