Thai-Cambodia Border Conflict Escalates as Thailand Launches Airstrikes

December 8, 2025 | Bangkok / Phnom Penh

The fragile peace along the Thai-Cambodia border collapsed early Monday after the Thai military conducted airstrikes in response to what it described as a deadly Cambodian attack. At least one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians have been killed, marking one of the most serious escalations in the region since the breakdown of diplomatic negotiations earlier this year.

The renewed violence has triggered mass civilian displacement, heightened political tensions, and raised urgent questions about regional stability, just a day before Thailand is set to host the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games.

Early Morning Attack Sparks Retaliatory Strikes

According to the Thai military, the escalation began around 5:05 AM in the Ubon Ratchathani province, when Thai troops reportedly came under fire from Cambodian forces. Initial statements indicate that the attack resulted in the death of one Thai soldier and left eight others injured.

Thai Major-General Winthai Suvaree said the ambush involved small arms and “curved weapons,” a term commonly used to describe short-range blades or improvised weapons used in close combat near dense forest borders.

Thailand responded within hours.

The Royal Thai Air Force deployed aircraft to conduct what it called “suppression operations” along suspected Cambodian firing positions. The sorties targeted areas across the border, resulting in multiple explosions reported by local residents in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.

Cambodia Denies Aggression, Blames Thailand for Initiating Fire

Cambodia issued a swift and forceful rebuttal, denying any involvement in the early-morning attack.

A statement from the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence claimed Thailand had “initiated cross-border aggression” and that Cambodian troops did not fire in return. Cambodian spokespersons accused Thailand of misrepresenting the incident to justify escalation.

Information Minister Neth Pheaktra confirmed the deaths of four Cambodian civilians and injuries to ten others from the airstrikes. According to Cambodian authorities, most casualties occurred in small farming communities located near the blast zones.

Humanitarian agencies operating in the region said early assessments indicate significant property damage and immediate displacement as residents fled to avoid further attacks.

Ceasefire Agreement Effectively Collapses

Monday’s violence effectively ends the July 2025 ceasefire, which had been brokered jointly by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and U.S. President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur. The agreement aimed to halt recurring clashes along the 817-kilometer undemarcated border.

However, relations between the two nations deteriorated last month when Thailand suspended its participation in the pact following a landmine incident that injured several Thai soldiers. Cambodia denied involvement in that event as well, but trust eroded sharply thereafter.

The return to open conflict suggests that diplomatic channels remain fragile, with neither government demonstrating willingness to de-escalate unilaterally.

Official Reactions: Both Governments Stand Firm

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul defended the airstrikes during a press briefing, emphasizing that Thailand has consistently avoided confrontation but “cannot and will not tolerate violations of sovereignty.”

He stated:

“Thailand has never initiated a fight. But any aggression against our soldiers or our land will be met with decisive action.”

On the Cambodian side, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, still an influential political figure, urged Cambodian troops to exercise restraint. He accused Thailand of attempting to provoke a broader conflict aimed at undermining the ceasefire and destabilizing Cambodia ahead of upcoming domestic political events.

Hun Sen said:

“Thailand must not use border tensions to destroy the ceasefire or create conditions for war. Cambodia seeks peace but will defend its people.”

Civilian Impact: More Than 35,000 Evacuated

The humanitarian impact has grown rapidly. Thailand’s Second Army Region reported that 35,000 villagers from communities near the border have been evacuated to temporary shelters due to fears of further attacks.

Witness accounts describe chaotic scenes as residents rushed to gather belongings before leaving their homes. Local schools have been converted into emergency centers, with the Thai Red Cross distributing food, water, and medical supplies.

Across the border, several schools in Cambodia’s border provinces remained closed, with teachers instructed to move students to safer locations. Cambodian authorities reported hundreds of families fleeing deeper inland after hearing aircraft overhead.

Human rights observers warn that continued exchanges of fire could displace tens of thousands more, creating one of the region’s largest border crises in over a decade.

Regional Tensions Heightened Ahead of SEA Games

The timing of the conflict has raised international concern. Thailand is scheduled to host the Southeast Asia Games on Tuesday, an event meant to promote unity and cooperation across ASEAN nations.

Instead, the renewed violence has cast a shadow over the opening ceremony. Security around the games has been tightened significantly, with military reinforcements positioned in host cities. While organizers say the event will proceed as planned, diplomatic attendees are reconsidering travel arrangements.

Analysts warn that if the conflict intensifies, it may affect international participation and disrupt regional diplomatic ties.

Long-Standing Border Dispute Resurfaces

The Thai-Cambodia border conflict is rooted in more than a century of disputed demarcation. Colonial-era maps, shifting political leadership, and intermittent military engagements have repeatedly flared into violence.

Key points of contention include:

• Unsettled mapping of several border segments

• Overlapping claims around temple complexes

• Military patrol routes not mutually recognized

• Historic mistrust stemming from 20th-century conflicts

While the 2025 ceasefire attempted to create a framework for negotiation, the absence of a clear demarcation makes the border highly vulnerable to misunderstandings or opportunistic escalations.

International Response: Calls for Restraint

Malaysia, which played a central role in brokering the July ceasefire, expressed “serious concern” about the renewed clashes. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged both nations to show “maximum restraint” to prevent the situation from spiraling into a regional incident.

The United States also acknowledged the escalation, with a State Department spokesperson calling for “immediate de-escalation” and renewed diplomatic engagement.

ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to hold an emergency virtual meeting if hostilities intensify.

Uncertain Path Forward as Military Tensions Rise

As of Monday evening, neither side indicated readiness for dialogue. Troop movements on both sides of the border suggest defensive buildup, with artillery and surveillance drones reportedly deployed along high-risk areas.

Diplomats caution that further missteps or retaliatory moves could push the conflict into a more prolonged standoff.

For civilians in the border zones, the situation remains unpredictable. With schools closed, farmlands abandoned, and thousands displaced, the humanitarian toll continues to grow as uncertainty deepens.