Thailand conducted airstrikes early Monday on Cambodian military positions after renewed border clashes left one Thai soldier dead and eight wounded. The strikes mark the most serious escalation since mid-2025 and have triggered mass civilian evacuations on both sides of the frontier.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the fighting began around 5:00 a.m. local time in Thailand’s eastern border region near Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Thai military officials stated that Cambodian forces fired small arms and indirect fire at Thai units securing an engineering project near the shared frontier, reportedly killing a soldier and wounding eight others. In response, the Royal Thai Air Force deployed F-16 jets to strike Cambodian military infrastructure, including command-type and logistics sites near disputed temple zones. Thai officials said the operation targeted “military threats” and avoided civilian zones.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense disputed Thailand’s account, claiming Thai forces initiated the attacks after days of provocations, including the movement of heavy equipment across what Phnom Penh considers Cambodian territory. The ministry said its forces “exercise restraint under international law” and did not respond with counter-fire. Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen accused Thailand of attempting to provoke a wider confrontation and urged restraint to avoid a broader conflict.
Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra confirmed that four civilians were killed and several injured in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces, forcing families to flee. More than 1,157 households have moved to emergency shelters, according to Cambodian authorities.
Reuters reports the confrontation is the most serious since July 2025, when five days of clashes killed dozens and eventually led to the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, signed in October with mediation from Malaysia and involvement from U.S. President Donald Trump. Thailand suspended implementation of the deal on November 10 after two Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine, which Bangkok claims was newly laid by Cambodian forces. Phnom Penh denies that allegation.
The suspension stalled the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand and resulted in the closure of checkpoints and restricted access to two historic temple sites. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports that both sides continue to blame each other for military buildups along the frontier, including alleged use of drones and artillery.
The BBC reports more than 385,000 residents in Thai border districts have been ordered to evacuate, with more than 35,000 currently housed in shelters in Buriram province. On the Cambodian side, witnesses describe families fleeing on motor carts and motorcycles as shelling was heard near rural settlements.
CNN and other outlets report that the Thai government has warned military operations will continue until Cambodia demonstrates willingness to re-engage in peace mechanisms. Thai officials maintain the airstrikes were “measured defensive action.”
Military comparisons from Reuters show Thailand’s armed forces significantly outweigh Cambodia’s: Thailand fields approximately 360,000 active personnel and around 400 tanks, supported by modern F-16 fighter units. Cambodia, by contrast, has roughly 125,000 troops and just over 200 tanks, with limited modern air capabilities.
NPR notes there have been no confirmed additional civilian or military casualties from the airstrikes beyond the initial reporting, though both sides have deployed reinforcements and are conducting what Thai officials describe as “area domination operations” along portions of the 800-kilometer border.
ASEAN foreign ministers have called an emergency meeting in Jakarta, and the U.S. State Department has urged restraint and immediate dialogue under the existing peace framework.
Authorities in both countries continue advising residents near the border to follow evacuation orders and avoid spreading unverified reports online as tensions remain high and the situation fluid.
The Chenab Times News Desk