Thailand-Cambodia border conflict escalates with airstrikes, civilian casualties

12/09/2025 / By Belle Carter

A fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia collapsed, leading to renewed military clashes, civilian casualties and Thailand’s first airstrikes in the conflict. Both sides accuse each other of ceasefire violations, marking the deadliest escalation since July.
Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets in what it called “self-defense” strikes against Cambodian artillery positions. Cambodia condemned Thailand’s actions as “brutal military aggression” and appealed to the UN Security Council for intervention.
Tens of thousands evacuated, with Thailand relocating 35,000+ civilians from border areas. Cambodia reported four civilian deaths, Thailand confirmed one soldier killed and multiple injuries. Eyewitnesses described terror from artillery explosions and panicked evacuations.
The conflict stems from colonial-era border disputes (1907 maps) and lingering resentment over the 1962 ICJ ruling awarding Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia. Previous peace efforts, including a U.S.-brokered deal, have failed, with Thailand suspending agreements after alleged landmine attacks.
ASEAN leaders and the UN urge restraint, fearing prolonged instability in Southeast Asia. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim warned renewed fighting risks unraveling diplomatic progress. With neither side backing down, fears grow of a full-scale war, leaving displaced civilians in shelters as tensions escalate.

A fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia collapsed this week as renewed military clashes erupted along their disputed border, resulting in civilian deaths, mass evacuations and Thailand’s first airstrikes in the conflict.

The violence, which began after accusations of ceasefire violations from both sides, marks the deadliest escalation since July, when five days of fighting killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands. With regional leaders urging restraint and the United Nations monitoring the crisis, fears grow that historical grievances and territorial disputes could plunge Southeast Asia into prolonged instability.

The latest clashes erupted after Thailand accused Cambodian forces of firing rockets into its territory, wounding two soldiers. Thailand retaliated, leading to a 20-minute exchange of gunfire. Cambodia, however, claimed Thai troops initiated hostilities and denied retaliating.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insisted Thailand acted in self-defense, stating, “Thailand has never wished for violence… but will never tolerate a violation of its sovereignty.” Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry condemned Thailand’s actions as “brutal military aggression” and appealed to the UN Security Council for intervention.

By Monday, Dec. 8, Thailand escalated its response, deploying F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian artillery positions. Thai military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said the airstrikes were necessary to “suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks.” Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thai forces of provocation, warning his military to show restraint while declaring, “The red line for responding has already been set.”

Civilians caught in the crossfire

The fighting has displaced tens of thousands, with Thailand evacuating over 35,000 civilians from border areas. Cambodia reported at least four civilian deaths and nine injuries, while Thailand confirmed one soldier killed and eight wounded.

Phichet Pholkoet, a Thai villager near the border, described the terror of waking to explosions: “It startled me. The explosions were very clear. Boom boom! I could hear everything clearly—some are heavy artillery, some are small arms.”

In Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey Province, opposition politician Meach Sovannara reported panicked evacuations: “I heard the artillery shelling… More than 1,100 families have fled.”

Historical grievances fuel modern conflict

The roots of the dispute trace back to colonial-era maps drawn in 1907, when France controlled Cambodia, BrightU.AI‘s Enoch notes. The International Court of Justice awarded the ancient Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, a ruling that still fuels Thai resentment.

Efforts to stabilize relations, including a U.S.-brokered peace deal in October, have faltered. Thailand suspended the agreement last month after landmine explosions injured its soldiers—allegations that Cambodia denies. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who helped mediate the July ceasefire, warned that renewed fighting risks “unravelling the careful work that has gone into stabilising relations.”

As artillery echoes across contested borderlands, civilians bear the brunt of a conflict fueled by historical wounds and geopolitical tensions. With neither side willing to back down and regional diplomacy strained, the world watches to see whether Thailand and Cambodia can step back from the brink—or if this latest clash will spiral into a wider war. For now, displaced families huddle in shelters, their futures uncertain, as leaders trade accusations and the specter of further violence looms.

Watch the video below that talks about the peace agreement signed by Thailand and Cambodia, which was brokered by President Donald Trump.

This video is from Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.