Thailand carried out an airstrike on a casino in Cambodia with an F-16 fighter jet on Monday morning.
There has once again been a conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. According to a CNN report, Thailand conducted an airstrike on a casino in Cambodia with an F-16 fighter jet on Monday morning. The Thai Army alleges that this casino had actually become a base for Cambodian soldiers. Heavy weapons and drones were kept there. Thailand also alleges that Cambodia was deploying its army to new places. That's why he had to do airstrike.
Media reports say that one Thai soldier has been killed and eight have been injured in the firing by armies from both sides. In such a situation, the question is arising that if this war continues for a long time, who will win? Whose army is more powerful in Thailand or Cambodia? Let us try to find out.
Comparing the armies of Thailand and Cambodia, Cambodia's defense budget in the year 2024 was said to be around $1.3 billion. There were about 1.24 lakh active soldiers in its army. At the same time, in Global Firepower-2025, Cambodia's army has been placed at 83rd position among the armies of the world. Now Cambodia has 1.70 lakh active soldiers. That means it has increased compared to the year 2024. Cambodia has approximately one lakh soldiers in reserve. Cambodia's army has more than 200 old T-55 and Type-59 tanks. Apart from these, there are more than 400 artillery pieces but most of them are of old models. Cambodia is also limited in rocket systems. It has MLRS like BM-21 Grad.
A Thai soldier, injured by firing from Cambodian soldiers, is being taken for medical treatment. Photo: Royal Thai Army / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
Cambodia's strength in the air is very low. Its Air Force does not have a single modern fighter jet. Talking about helicopters, Cambodia is dependent on some old and Chinese weapons, Mi-8 and Z-9 helicopters. There are a total of about 1500 soldiers in Cambodia's Air Force. He has 10 transport helicopters. Apart from this, Cambodia has some cheap drones, which are used for spying.
Talking about Navy, Cambodia is far behind in this matter also. It has more than 10 small patrol ships but this country does not have any warship. The Cambodian Navy does not even have any submarine.
Cambodia has 1.70 lakh active soldiers. Photo: Roland Neveu/LightRocket via Getty Images
On the other hand, if we talk about Thailand, its armies are much stronger than Cambodia. Thailand's army has been ranked 24th in the world in the ranking of Global Firepower-2025, which makes this country a strong power at the regional level. There are 3 lakh 60 thousand active soldiers in Thailand's army. Apart from these, 2 lakh reserve soldiers are also in the Thai army. Talking about the army, Thailand's army has 200 to 400 tanks. These tanks include M-60 and VT-4 etc. Apart from these, Thailand has more than 2600 artillery systems like M-777 howitzers etc. Talking about rocket systems, Thailand also has state-of-the-art MLRS systems. Along with this, the Thai Army has more than 1200 armored vehicles.
There are 3 lakh 60 thousand active soldiers in Thailand's army. Photo: Patrick AVENTURIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Thailand's Air Force also has a large stockpile of modern weapons. 40 to 50 F-16 fighter jets are part of Thailand's Air Force. Its air force is also equipped with 11 SAAB Gripen jets. It has more than a hundred helicopters, which also include attack helicopters like AH-1 Cobra. Apart from this, drones like RQ-21 Blackjack are also included in its Air Force. In fact, Thailand's Air Force is considered the most powerful in South-East Asia. There are 46 thousand soldiers in it. The total number of its warplanes is said to be 112.
Thailand's navy is also stronger than Cambodia's. It also has an aircraft carrier, seven frigates and more than 20 corvettes. Apart from this, Thailand also has a submarine. Thailand's defense budget is also huge, which is about 5.7 billion dollars. There are 70 thousand personnel in Thailand's Navy. It also has 68 patrol vessels.
Royal Guard of Thailand. Photo: Hong Wu/Getty Images
One thing that makes Thailand more powerful than Cambodia is the support of America. Thailand's army is capable of fighting Cambodia's army for a longer period on the strength of America. The US supports Thailand as a non-NATO ally. Anyway, Thailand has carried out this attack on Cambodia at a time when US President Donald Trump had signed a peace agreement between the two countries just a few months ago. Even then there was a fight between the two for five days, in which more than 30 people died.
