December 8, 2025 | 05:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border escalated sharply on Monday, December 8, 2025, as Bangkok's fighter jets launched airstrikes on Cambodian territory. This was deemed necessary by the Thai military in response to cross-border attacks that killed a Thai soldier and injured several others.
The renewed fighting comes months after a five-day war in July, which resulted in at least 48 deaths and displaced about 300,000 residents on both sides of the border, and ended with a ceasefire mediated by the United States and Malaysia.
The fragile ceasefire agreement began to crack after a landmine explosion last month wounded a Thai soldier, prompting Thailand to suspend some aspects of the ceasefire implementation.
According to CNA, Thai military spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree confirmed that clashes resumed before dawn on Monday, shortly after a brief clash on Sunday, which injured two Thai soldiers.
He confirmed that around 5 a.m. local time, Cambodian forces "fired small arms and sharp weapons", with Thailand receiving confirmation of a soldier's death around 7 a.m. Four other Thai personnel were also injured.
In response, the Royal Thai Air Force carried out airstrikes "to suppress Cambodian forces' attacks." They claimed to have targeted only military infrastructure, weapons depots, command centers, and logistic routes considered a direct threat.
Mutual Accusations of Provocation
However, Cambodia rejected Thailand's version of events.
Spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, Maly Socheata, stated that Thailand launched an initial attack on Cambodian positions in the provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey in the early hours, accusing Bangkok of engaging in "provocative actions for days to trigger a confrontation."
Cambodian officials accused Thai tanks of firing shots towards the Ta Moan Thum Temple and areas around the historic Preah Vihear Temple.
Three Cambodian civilians, including a woman, sustained severe injuries in Oddar Meanchey, although it is not yet clear whether they were affected by the airstrikes or gunfire.
Hun Sen, an influential former Cambodian prime minister, cautioned his country's forces not to be provoked.
"The red line for a response has been drawn," he said, accusing Thai forces of attempting to "drag us into battle" to thwart the ceasefire in October.
On the Thai side, the military accused Cambodian forces of firing BM-21 rockets into civilian areas in Buri Ram Province, although no casualties were reported.
Al Jazeera reported that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul asserted that Thailand "never initiated a battle or invasion."
However, Bangkok will not tolerate violations of its sovereignty.
Both sides also stated a preference to avoid open conflict, with Cambodia declaring that it did not retaliate despite being attacked twice.
Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra later announced that Thailand's attacks killed at least four Cambodian civilians. He said the deaths occurred in the border provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear, with 10 others injured.
Civilians once again became the primary victims. Thailand has evacuated about 35,000 people and activated shelters for over 385,000 residents in four border districts.
Cambodian provincial authorities also reported that villagers were fleeing to safety and that schools were being suspended in Oddar Meanchey.
Regional concerns heightened after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged both countries to prioritize "maximum restraint," halt the fighting, and return to diplomatic channels.
"Our region cannot afford to see long-standing disputes slip into cycles of confrontation," wrote Anwar.
Read: Thai Army Launches Airstrikes Along Disputed Cambodia Border
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