Substantial military capabilities have provided Thailand capabilities substantially superior to Cambodia. The current geopolitical situation in Southeast Asia further brings attention to this disjunction. Thailand has a rather huge advantage in quality of personnel and weaponry. As a historic ally of the United States, the military power of the United States will always far outweigh Cambodia’s vastly under-funded military forces. This growing gap has serious implications for regional stability and security, especially as tensions continue to boil over contested territory.
Thailand has a military of about 361,000 active-duty troops, a number that dwarfs Cambodia’s 120,000 soldiers. The Royal Thai Armed Forces partner with the United States. They have well over 1000 modern battle tanks including 60 of the latest Chinese-made VT-4 tanks, as well as hundreds of older US-made models. This massive arsenal only adds to Thailand’s strategic advantage in a possible conflict with their neighbor, Cambodia.
Beyond its ground forces, Thailand’s aerial capabilities enhance its military might. The Royal Thai Air Force operates at least 11 modern Swedish Gripen fighter jets alongside numerous older US-made F-16 and F-5 jets. To supplement its fixed-wing fighters, Thailand is home to a large attack helicopter fleet, including US-made Cobra models and 18 Black Hawk transport helicopters. This wide variety of equipment gives Thailand the capability to effectively project power across the region.
Thailand’s Strategic Alliances and Military Exercises
Thailand’s security relationship with the United States and its access to US military support and training are essential to Thailand’s military readiness. Classified as a major non-NATO ally, Thailand enjoys the fruits of decades of American support for its defense procurements. As evidenced by annual, large scale joint military exercises such as Cobra Gold, the partnership was reaffirmed. First launched in 1982, this annual celebration now counts participation from several additional countries across the globe. Every year, over 900 US aircraft and 40 Navy ships deploy to Thailand for joint and combined training exercises.
The deep military collaboration between Thailand and the United States is a prime example of how pivotal military alliances play an integral role in Southeast Asia. The United States Indo-Pacific Command and Thailand host Cobra Gold, underscoring both nations’ commitment to mutual defense and interoperability. Carl Schuster, a military analyst, noted that “the Royal Thai Air Force is superior and their special forces are superior,” emphasizing the strength of Thailand’s military infrastructure.
A burgeoning domestic arms industry in Thailand compounds its military superiority. Thailand has built robust international collaborations with partners such as Israel, Italy, Russia, South Korea, and Sweden. With this help, it is able to churn out sophisticated arms to defend itself. This form of self-sufficiency gives Thailand the ability to independently support a strong military posture without total dependence on foreign imports.
Cambodia’s Military Limitations
Compared to the one in Thailand, Cambodia’s military is poor, young and lacks the institutional knowledge needed to modernize its forces. Established in 1993 following a merger of various factions, the Cambodian armed forces have struggled to develop a cohesive and capable military framework. With around 200 outdated tanks primarily sourced from China and the former Soviet Union, Cambodia’s ground forces fall short compared to Thailand’s extensive arsenal.
Cambodia has a maximum of a few dozen older Soviet transport helicopters at their disposal. Moreover, it is limited geographically and militarily, having fewer than a dozen 155mm guns and some 400 smaller towed artillery pieces. The lack of a meaningful combat-capable air force makes succession even harder on Cambodia’s military ruling class. An IISS report states that “Cambodia currently lacks the ability to design and manufacture modern equipment for its armed forces,” highlighting significant gaps in capability.
Nevertheless, these challenges have not lessened Cambodia’s embrace of China. Senior Colonel Wu Qian emphasized the close relationship between the two nations: “China and Cambodia are iron-clad friends who… always support each other. The two militaries enjoy unbreakable relations and rock-solid brotherhood.” This strategic partnership could have significant implications to Cambodia’s decision-making in the event of an armed conflict with Thailand.
Analysis of Regional Dynamics
This continued power imbalance between Thailand and Cambodia brings to question the stability of the region. Analysts believe Thailand would hold the advantage in any future conflict, thanks to its air power and long-range capabilities. Carl Schuster pointed out, “I think the Thais will prefer to emphasize air power and long-range firepower in the conflict,” indicating a clear tactical advantage for Thailand.
Additionally, Schuster noted that “terrain favors access from Cambodian territory to the disputed area,” suggesting that logistical considerations could play a critical role in any confrontation. Without proper air support or modern ground forces, Cambodia won’t be able to defend its interests if it survived in effective ways.
Tensions are high as the region faces a longstanding territorial dispute between neighbors. These stark contrasts in military capabilities between Thailand and Cambodia highlight larger security questions about the changing dynamics within Southeast Asia. The balance of power still very much favors Thailand, with extensive regional alliances and superior military hardware.
