Thailand’s military has announced its readiness to launch a “high-level operation” to defend its sovereignty amid a tense border dispute with Cambodia that escalated into a deadly clash last week. This marks the strongest warning from Thailand’s military so far. In a statement on June 5, the Thai army said its intelligence indicated that Cambodia had increased military activity along the border despite ongoing diplomatic talks, describing this development as “worrisome.”

On Friday, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra convened a National Security Council meeting and affirmed the military’s preparedness to protect Thai sovereignty, while emphasizing the importance of peaceful resolution. She acknowledged the potential damage of conflict and stressed the government’s preference for dialogue.

“The military is ready for any scenario,” she said, adding that both the government and military are working closely together. Following a brief confrontation on May 28 in an unmarked border area that left one Cambodian soldier dead, both governments exchanged cautious statements committing to continued dialogue.

Before the Friday meeting, the Thai army declared it was prepared for a high-level military response if retaliation became necessary. It said border operations were being conducted carefully and calmly to avoid casualties while remaining fully ready to defend the country if needed. Cambodia has yet to respond to the Thai military’s statement.

Although the two countries share a historic rivalry, their governments maintain friendly relations, partly due to the close ties between former leaders Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand and Hun Sen of Cambodia. Their children currently serve as prime ministers in their respective countries. This dispute comes at a sensitive time for Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party government, which is dealing with economic challenges and political pressures. The party, linked to the influential Shinawatra family, has a difficult history with the military, which previously overthrew its governments in 2006 and 2014.

After the security meeting, Thai Armed Forces chief Songwit Noonpackdee voiced support for the government’s peaceful approach to resolving the border tensions. Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said in a recent discussion with his Cambodian counterpart, Thia Saya, both sides agreed to avoid violence and proceed cautiously, with a proposal to return to positions agreed upon in 2024.

The last major clashes between Cambodia and Thailand occurred in 2011 over the Preah Vihear temple, a centuries-old site central to a longstanding territorial dispute. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2013 that the temple falls under Cambodian jurisdiction. This week, Cambodia announced it would bring disputes over four border areas to the International Court of Justice and requested Thailand’s cooperation. Thailand, however, does not recognize the court’s authority in this matter.