The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia puts two unequal opponents face to face. How strong their armies are

The conflict broke out on the border between Thailand and Cambodia opposes an old and experienced ally of the United States with a relatively young armed force, which has close links with China, reports CNN.

Bangkok and Phnom Penh disputes their territories since the colonial power France has drawn the border, more than a century ago.

The claws that started on Thursday continued on Saturday, over 20 people being killed, other injured dozens, while over 150,000 evacuated civilians, according to officials on both sides.

An analysis of the figures shows that an unequal struggle between the two parties is expected.

Thailand has a larger army

The Thailand's army exceeds that of neighboring Cambodia, both in number of soldiers and in terms of armament.

With a total of 361,000 active soldiers, the Kingdom's army is three times higher than that of Cambodia. In addition, these troops have weapons available to which their Cambodian counterparts can only dream.

“Thailand has a large and well-financed army, and its air forces are among the best equipped and trained in Southeast Asia.”wrote the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in its report “Military Balance 2025”, which analyzes the armed forces of the world.

At the same time, a 2024 ranking of the military capacities of 27 nations in the region, made by the Lowy Institute, places Thailand on the 14th place, compared to Cambodia on the 23rd place.

Such a disappearance is probably expected, given that Thailand has four times more inhabitants than Cambodia and a GDP over 10 times larger. Unlike Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, it was away from the ravages of the wars that included the region in the second half of the 20th century, as well as the European colonialism that preceded them.

Calculating factors such as military, economic, diplomatic and cultural power Lowy Index for Asia places Thailand on the 10th place, considering it medium power, immediately after Indonesia, but before countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam.

Instead, Lowy estimates Cambodia as a minor power in Asia, in the same group of countries as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Laos.

Thailand, strong ties with the US

The Thai army has long been an important player in the Kingdom's policy. The country is under the domination of a conservative system consisting of army, monarchy and influential elites.

The generals took over the power through coups, 20 of 1932, often reversing democratic governments, according to CIA World Factbook, and the army presents itself as the supreme defender of the monarchy.

Thailand is an ally of the United States through the Southeast Asia collective defense treaty, also known as the Manila Pact, dating from 1954, according to the US State Department.

During the Vietnam War, Thailand hosted American air forces resources at some air bases, including B-52 bombers, while tens of thousands of Thai soldiers fought on the South Vietnam side, against the communist north.

The strong ties between Washington and Bangkok have resisted time. Thailand is considered by the US a major ally from outside NATO, which offered access to special benefits such as American support for its armament programs.

For example, Thailand and the US Indo-Pacific Command host Cobra Gold's annual military year, which debuted in 1982, but in the meantime added dozens of other participants apart from the two countries. It is the longest international military exercise in the world, according to the American army.

In addition to Cobra Gold, the Thai and American forces jointly organize over 60 exercises, while over 900 American aircraft and 40 navy ships visit Thailand annually, according to the US State Department.

Despite this collaboration history with Washington, the Thai army is currently trying to maintain a more neutral approach to military policy, strengthening links with China in the last decade.

Not wishing to rely on any country as a weapon supplier, the country has developed a powerful internal weapons industry, with the help of countries such as Israel, Italy, Russia, South Korea and Sweden, it is shown in the “Military Balance” report.

China's support for Cambodia

The Cambodgia's army is young compared to that of Thailand, being established in 1993, after the forces of the communist government merged with two non -communist resistance armies, according to Jiss.

“The most important international connections in Cambodia in the field of defense has them with China and Vietnam. Despite the traditional dependence on Russia for defense equipment, China has become a key supplier.”appreciates Jiss.

Beijing has even developed a naval base in Cambodia, namely Ream's naval base, from the Gulf of Thailand, which can host Chinese aircraft carriers, according to international analysts.

Cambodia and China ended in May the seventh edition of the annual common military exercise Golden Dragon, considered the largest military exercise that has ever included real fire training scenarios.

The relationship between the two countries is expected to reach “a new level and to develop” this year, according to a February report published on the English website of the Popular Liberation Army.

“China and Cambodia have an iron friendship … they always support each other. The two armies enjoy unwavering relationships and a solid fraternity”, said the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of China, Colonel Wu Qian, in a press conference in February, when he was asked about possible cracks.

However, the Cambodian army needs support.

“Cambodia does not currently have the ability to design and manufacture modern equipment for its armed forces,” the IISS report shows.

The weapons available to the two countries

Supported for years by US, Thai royal air forces are well equipped, with at least 11 modern Swedish Gripen fighter jets and dozens of older F-16 and F-5 aircraft, according to the US. By contrast, Cambodia does not have an air force capable of fighting.

Thailand has dozens of combat tanks, including 60 VT-4 modern tanks, made in China, and hundreds of older tanks, manufactured in the US. Cambodia has about 200 tanks – they are old, manufactured in China and the Soviet Union, “Military Balance” shows.

The Thai army is proud of over 600 artillery pieces, including at least 56 powerful 155 mm and over 550 tensioned cannons of 105 mm. Cambodia has only a dozen 155 mm and about 400 small -tracked artillery, according to IISS figures.

In the air, the army has cobra attack helicopters made in the US, as well as 18 Black Hawk transport planes. Cambodia has only a few dozen Soviet and Chinese transport helicopters.

What follows

Military analyst Carl Schuster, former operations director at the US Command Information Center, appreciated that although Thailand has the numerical and qualitative military advantage, Cambodia has at least one thing in its favor – the territory along the disputed border.

“The land favors access from Cambodian territory to the disputed area,” Schuster told CNN.

And, taking into account the fact that Cambodian forces would have placed ground mines and traps in the disputed area, it is expected that Thailand will rather resort to long -range weapons, he said.

“The Thai royal air forces are superior, and their special forces are superior,” Schuster said. “I think the Thai will prefer to emphasize the air power and the power of fire in this conflict.”