Military tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have dramatically escalated, with Thailand confirming it has launched airstrikes against its neighbour following a deadly exchange of fire along their disputed frontier.
Aerial Assault and Conflicting Claims
The Thai military stated it used aircraft to strike what it described as military targets inside Cambodia on Monday, 8 December 2025. The action was taken, according to army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree, to suppress Cambodian supporting fire after troops from Cambodia allegedly fired first into Thai territory.
One Thai soldier was killed and four others were wounded in the initial clashes, the spokesperson confirmed.
However, Cambodian officials have vehemently denied firing the first shot. Defence ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata asserted that Thai forces were the initial aggressors. "Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities that threaten peace and stability in the region," she said, adding that Cambodia did not retaliate during Monday's opening attacks.
Mass Evacuations and Historical Tensions
The immediate human cost of the renewed fighting is severe. On the Thai side of the border, authorities have initiated a large-scale evacuation. More than 385,000 civilians across four border districts are being moved to safety, with over 35,000 already housed in temporary shelters.
Social media videos have depicted frightened civilians fleeing the conflict zone, underscoring the rapid deterioration of the situation.
This latest violence shatters a fragile US-brokered ceasefire agreement that was signed in October 2025. The deal was personally advanced by US President Donald Trump, who brought together Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
A Century-Old Dispute Turns Deadly Again
The root cause of the conflict is a territorial dispute over sections of the 508-mile (817km) land border, which the two nations have contested for more than a century. This historical enmity flared into a five-day period of combat in July, which resulted in dozens of soldier and civilian casualties.
The Thai military reports that the most recent fighting broke out around two areas in the easternmost province of Ubon Ratchathani, specifically near the Chong Bok area. This region has long been a flashpoint for tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
The international community is now watching closely to see if the two sides can step back from the brink, or if the region faces a prolonged and bloody confrontation.
