Bangkok, July 24 2025 — The Royal Thai Air Force officially confirmed on Thursday that their fighter jets have safely returned to base after conducting military airstrikes along the eastern border, amid rising security concerns and regional unrest.
Air Vice Marshal Kritsada Noppasit of the Royal Thai Air Force stated to reporters that these strikes were part of a precision defensive operation to neutralize any elements suspected of engaging in cross-border incursions and endangering Thailand’s territorial integrity. F-16 fighter jets from Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base were deployed early morning on this mission.
Kritsada announced during a press briefing in Bangkok that all aircraft involved have now returned safely, without incurring damage to Thai personnel or equipment during its completion as planned. Furthermore, all targets confirmed hostile were located well away from any civilian populations and all were found hostile targets were confirmed hostile.
Thai military strikes have responded to mounting tension along its eastern border, specifically near Sa Kaeo province bordering Cambodia. Though officials of Thailand’s Ministry of Defense did not publicly name specific targets or casualty figures for these strikes, sources within said they targeted armed groups operating nearby which have engaged in clashes with Thai forces recently.
Thailand’s decision to authorize airstrikes marks an unusual yet significant escalation of its border defense policy, becoming one of the rare instances in recent years when Royal Thai Air Force conducted cross-border or near-border military actions involving combat aircraft.
Defense Minister Sutin Klangsang stated earlier that this operation was necessary and limited in response to repeated provocations and attempts at undermining Thai sovereignty.
“Thai lives and national security remain of the utmost importance to us,” Sutin stated. “We do not wish for confrontation with any neighboring countries; instead, we seek peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation.”
As of Thursday afternoon, Cambodia had not issued an official response to the airstrikes; however, local Cambodian media reported increased military readiness near the border and troop movements in Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey provinces.
Residents in the border region have expressed alarm at recent military developments. Some villages in Sa Kaeo and Surin provinces have begun evacuating non-essential personnel while security forces continue patrolling rural areas where infiltration threats remain present.
At the same time, international observers like United Nations and ASEAN officials have called for both governments to show restraint. A spokesperson from ASEAN Secretariat issued the following statement: “We are closely observing this situation and urge restraint on all sides. Any escalation must be avoided through dialogue and cooperation.”
Thai authorities emphasized that their airstrikes did not signal war but instead represented “measured and defensive actions to stop further violence”.
As fighter jets returned safely and military activity remains high in the region, diplomatic channels should be activated quickly in the coming days to reduce tensions and prevent an all-out conflict from emerging.