July 24, 2025 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Amid a sudden outbreak of hostilities with Cambodia, Thailand deployed its F‑16 Fighting Falcons to carry out precision airstrikes on July 24th.
One of six jets positioned along the disputed border struck a Cambodian military target, marking a rare combat use of Thailand’s F‑16 fleet.

What began as sporadic artillery and small arms exchanges across multiple flashpoints quickly intensified. Thai and Cambodian forces traded heavy shelling from six locations across the 209 km border, prompting Thailand to close border crossings and accelerate aerial operations .

Thailand’s military confirmed that an F‑16 strike destroyed a Cambodian command facility. Cambodian officials decried the action as "reckless and brutal military aggression," escalating diplomatic tensions.

Thailand’s decision to deploy fighter jets highlights a significant asymmetry in capability. Cambodia—lacking any fighter aircraft—relied primarily on artillery and rocket fire. The F‑16 strike underlines Thailand’s operational advantage in both range and firepower.