The Royal Thai Army destroyed a Cambodian crane equipped with an electronic warfare and signal-jamming tower at the Preah Vihear Temple site in the Dangrek Mountains, according to military footage released this week. Soldiers were seen using artillery to bring down the structure, celebrating the strike as a tactical success.

Thailand claims the crane was being used to support Cambodian electronic warfare operations, including signal-jamming to assist artillery deployment, framing the strike as a defensive measure amid escalating border clashes. The 2025 Thailand-Cambodia conflict, which intensified from minor skirmishes in May to full confrontations in December, has already displaced over 500,000 people from border areas.

Cambodian officials, however, dispute Thailand’s claims, describing the crane as civilian equipment intended for temple repair work. UNESCO, which oversees the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site, urged both sides to exercise caution and de-escalate to protect the cultural landmark.

The strike represents one of the most visible episodes in the ongoing border conflict, highlighting the use of modern military tactics—including electronic warfare and artillery strikes—alongside the enduring geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the historic temple site.

The situation remains tense, with both nations maintaining military presence along the border and continuing diplomatic communications aimed at avoiding further damage to both civilians and heritage sites. Analysts note that the destruction of the crane could signal a shift toward more aggressive operations in the contested region.