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Thailand has captured advanced Chinese-made anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) from Cambodia, according to photos that appeared online on December 14, a day after it became known that a Chinese-made main battle tank of the Thai military was damaged by Cambodian fire during the ongoing border clashes between the two countries.
Dozens of people were killed in a five-day battle in July part of a long-standing conflict rooted in the colonial-era demarcation of the countries’ 800-kilometre frontier. The battle ended back then with a ceasefire mediated by Malaysia with help from the United States.
Fighting along the disputed border resumed on December 9, with reports suggesting that at least 28 people, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed, so far.
Each country has blamed the other for instigating the border clashes, claiming self-defense and trading accusations of attacks on civilians.
The situation along the border is very murky. Fighting is reported to be mainly taking place in Thailand’s Surin, Buriram, Si Sa Ket, Sa Kaeo, Ubon Ratchathani, and Trat provinces, as well as in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat and Koh Kong provinces.
Recent photos from the clashes in these provinces indicates that both sides are increasingly using heavy weapons, mainly made by China.
The Thai military captured multiple Chinese-made GAM-102LR ATGMs from Cambodian troops during fighting near Hill 677 in Ubon Ratchathani,, according to recent reports from the area.
The GAM-102LR is a fifth-generation ATGM produced by Poly Defense, a major Chinese defense manufacturer operating under Poly Technologies.
The missile, which was first introduced at the EDEX 2025 defense exhibition, features an advanced optical homing seeker with top-attack, fire-and-forget, and lock-after-launch capabilities. It is said to have a range of six to ten kilometers, with a warhead capable of penetrating 1,000 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) behind explosive reactive armor.
The GAM-102LR was one of the latest additions to the Cambodian military, and with a value estimated at $112,000 per missile, the capture of the ATGMs was a considerable loss.
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Just a day earlier, the Thai military confirmed that one of its Chinese-made VT-4 tanks suffered serious damage during the fighting on the border with Cambodia.
Commenting on the incident, Col. Richa Suksuwanont, deputy spokesperson for the military, said that the tank sustained damage after its main gun was fired repeatedly during ongoing operations.
“Regarding the case of a Thai VT-4 tank experiencing an accident in which firing caused the gun barrel to burst, it did occur,” Col. Richa said. “The tank has damage. As for the cause, it cannot yet be specified and is currently under technical examination.”
The spokesman also noted that several possible factors are being considered, taking into account the high operational tempo of the tanks.
“Based on initial assumptions, there are several possible reasons, since the VT-4 tank has been continuously involved in operations and has conducted intensive firing during the period of operations. Whether this may be the cause or not, we ask that the public wait for a detailed technical verification by the Ordnance Department,” Col. Richa said.
The VT-4, manufactured by Chinese defense giant NORINCO, weighs approximately 52 tons. It features a powerful 125mm smoothbore gun capable of firing advanced munitions including guided missiles, backed by a 1,300 hp diesel engine for speeds up to 70 km/h and a 500 kilometers operational range.
The tank is protected by an advanced composite and reactive armor with frontal protection equivalents up to 700mm RHA.
At least 62 VT-4s were reported to be in service with the Thai military earlier this year, with the cost of a single tank estimated at above $4,9 million.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
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The border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia highlight China’s emerging role as one of the main weapons exporters in Eastern, Southeastern and Southern Asia. Along with weapon exports, Beijing’s political influence will likely grow in these regions.
In fact, Beijing is already supporting efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to end the Thai-Cambodian conflict. U.S. attempts to broker a new ceasefire have so far failed.
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it might be triggered by agent provocateurs. there are narco gangs supported by the west at the border between china and cambodia. i wonder if there are also such kind of proxy forces on the other border between thailand and cambodia. since both countries look for territorial gain they might overlook the 3rd force and blame each other. around 400k+ displaced and homeless people on each side.
agent provocateurs operate all over the globe. mossad, cia. mi6 are a just few enablers. international shell corporations hide this from the populations
they’re agents they work for an employee usually a crown.
do you clyde cromwell circumcised python etc
here dear, have a repeat from grade three you were absent no doubt
“how the british empire became the world’s biggest narco cartel.” you tube bubs. you might learn something for a change.
trumps already sorted them out again so all your dreams are dashed bad luck.
testing chinese weapons in combat….
great article. the us is still bitter it lost the viet nam war that was created to contain china years ago. so they move the conquest to new nations and continue the old plan.
absolutely no idea. none whatsoever unbievable actually.
yes not someone who would be suitable to narrate anything at all except fantasia
it highlights how the mitary industrialists have no borders they aren’t socialists, their business isn’t nationalised they’re just modest and like to allow the country where they get the lowest wages costs get the credit as an act of generosity. and of course the nett outcome is to increase their profits.
another proxy conflict started by the west.