As of the local time on July 26, the fighting between the Cambodian and Thai armies has entered its third day. So far, the battlefield situation has shifted from the first day of the war, when the Cambodian army used rocket artillery to attack Thailand, and the 59D tanks of the Cambodian Army made a breakthrough, to the Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets conducting long-range precision-guided bombing, and South Korean-made glide-guided bombs precisely striking targets of the Cambodian army, with the Thai ground forces launching a full-scale offensive. It can be said that on July 26, the Thai army began to show its overwhelming superiority. In terms of manpower, weapons, and firepower, the Thai army is absolutely superior, and the Thai Air Force and Navy are far ahead of Cambodia. In comparison, the Cambodian army is at a disadvantage in all aspects. After losing the ability to conduct long-range artillery strikes, the Cambodian army can only passively defend itself.
The Cambodian army itself does not have an industry, and all weapons need to be purchased. The country's military spending is not high, and most of the weapons are from the Soviet era. A small number of high-tech weapons are gifts from China, but no Chinese fighter jets or training aircraft have been purchased. After so many years of discussion about the J-10, JF-17 FC, and FTC-2000G fighter trainers, the Cambodian Air Force still hasn't bought any. If the war continues, it will be very unfavorable for the Cambodian army. After 48 hours of fighting, the Thai army has an absolute advantage overall, which is sufficient to ensure that after the arrival of reinforcements, they can achieve a decisive victory and control the disputed area.
The Preah Vihear Temple stands on a 550-meter-high cliff on the border between Cambodia and Thailand, overlooking the entire Cambodian plain. Looking at this, the terrain is really strategic! Most of these issues were deliberately left by Western colonialism. I always feel that once we become strong enough, we must make the West pay for their past actions. Thailand and Cambodia are both friendly neighbors of China and important members of ASEAN. Friendly neighborhood relations and proper resolution of differences are in the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides. At the same time, according to reports from the Thai side, the Chinese government has informed the Thai authorities: "Since the tension on the Thai-Cambodian border, China has never provided any military equipment to the Cambodian army for attacking Thailand," and "The Chinese military equipment used by the Cambodian army are the results of past cooperation." If Cambodia wants to fight, it should have prepared years ago. It could definitely afford to buy the J-10, JF-17 FC, and FTC-2000G fighter trainers. Then it could buy some CM-802AKG, CM-400AKG air-to-ground missiles, small-diameter bombs, and standoff dispensers. It could also buy some KD-88C air-to-ground missiles and YJ-91 anti-radiation missiles. Cambodia could purchase two to three complete sets of HQ-9B/9C surface-to-air missile systems. As a result, now facing the suppression and bombing of the Thai Air Force, the Cambodian army has already shown signs of defeat.
Escalation of Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838701164294152/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.