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New Delhi: Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated on Friday as the military conflict between the two countries continued for the second consecutive day. The long-simmering tensions between the Southeast Asian neighbours flared up into armed conflict on Thursday, leaving at least 14 people dead. The major escalation in over a decade saw the deployment of a Thai F-16 fighter jet and also saw the two sides firing small arms, artillery and rockets. Thailand also launched airstrikes. The military conflict between the two countries escalated on Friday as heavy firing continued from both sides. Both accused each other of firing first. Meanwhile, United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened an emergency meeting to discuss the prevailing situation in the two countries. According to Thailand, more than one lakh people have been evacuated from the border area and have been shifted to 300 shelters.
Here is a close look at military strength of both countries
Active military personnel: Thailand has over 3,60,000 active armed forces personnel, significantly more than Cambodia's 1,24,300, according to data from the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Thailand, a key non-NATO ally, boasts a well-funded and technologically-advanced military. Cambodia's armed forces were established in 1993 following the merger of the country's former Communist military and two other resistance armies.
Defence budget: Cambodia had a defence budget of $1.3 billion in 2024 while Thailand's defence budget stood at $5.73 billion last year, five times than of its rival nation, according to the IISS, the London-based defense think tank.
Artillery weapons and tanks: Thailand has aorund 2,600 artillery weapons. Thailand army also has its own fleet of aircraft, inclduing passenger planes, helicopters such as dozens of US-made Black Hawks, besides unmanned aerial vehicles. It also posseses around 400 battle tanks and over 1,200 armoured personnel carriers. On the other hand, Cambodia has more than 200 battle tanks and around 480 pieces of artillery.
Fighter aircraft: While Thailand has 112 combat capable fighter jets, Cambodia does not have fighter jets and only possesses 16 multi-role helicopters. While Cambodia's air force comprise on 1500 personnel, Thai boasts of having one of the best equipped and trained air forces in Southeast Asia with an estimated 46,000 personnel. Although Cambodia's small fleet of aircraft include 10 transport planes and 10 transport helicopters, and the country also possess 16 multi- role helicopters, including six Soviet-era Mi-17s and 10 Chinese Z-9s. Thailand has 28 F-16s and 11 Swedish Gripen fighter jets, and dozens of helicopters.
Naval strength: Thailand's naval strength is much larger as compared to that of Cambodia. The Cambodian navy has an estimated 2,800 personnel, while Thailand's navy includes nearly 70,000 personnel. Cambodia has 1,500 naval infantry, with 13 patrol and coastal combat vessels and one amphibious landing craft, while Thailand's fleet has one aircraft carrier, seven frigates, and 68 patrol and coastal combat vessels. Thailand also has amphibious and landing ships that can hold hundreds of troops each and 14 smaller landing craft.
