Quick Read
- Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodia’s border on December 8, 2025, after renewed clashes.
- Both sides accuse each other of starting the violence; casualties include soldiers and civilians.
- Over 385,000 civilians have been evacuated in Thailand; Cambodian border schools are closed.
- The US-brokered ceasefire from October is under threat as hostilities resume.
- Regional leaders, including Malaysia’s prime minister, are urging restraint to prevent escalation.
Thailand-Cambodia Border Erupts Again as Airstrikes Shatter Ceasefire Hopes
In a sharp escalation of a century-old dispute, Thailand launched airstrikes against Cambodia along their shared border on December 8, 2025, plunging the region back into crisis just weeks after a US-brokered ceasefire. The renewed violence underscores how fragile peace remains between these Southeast Asian neighbors, whose territorial disagreements have simmered beneath the surface for generations.
Casualties and Accusations: Who Fired First?
As the fighting reignited, both sides traded accusations over who triggered the latest clash. Thai military spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree reported one Thai soldier killed and eight wounded, alleging that Cambodian forces fired first into Thai territory. In retaliation, Thailand deployed aircraft to “strike military targets in several areas to suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks,” according to Suvaree.
On the Cambodian side, officials painted a different picture. Met Measpheakdey, deputy governor of Oddar Meanchey province, claimed three civilians were seriously injured during the airstrikes. The Cambodian Defence Ministry insisted that Thai troops initiated the confrontation in Preah Vihear province. Spokesperson Maly Socheata issued a pointed statement: “Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities that threaten peace and stability in the region.” (Sky News)
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire: Mass Evacuations and Shuttered Schools
Beyond the military maneuvers and political rhetoric, it’s ordinary people who bear the brunt of renewed hostilities. In Thailand, over 385,000 civilians across several border districts are being evacuated, with more than 35,000 already housed in temporary shelters. The swift response underscores how quickly the situation deteriorated, as families scrambled to leave their homes amid fears of escalating violence.
Meanwhile, in Cambodia, the Education Ministry ordered the closure of schools along the border. Footage circulating online showed students hastily leaving classrooms to reunite with their families—a stark reminder of how conflict disrupts daily life and interrupts children’s education.
Regional and International Reactions: Calls for Restraint
Amid mounting tension, regional leaders have stepped in with urgent pleas for calm. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim took to social media, urging both Thailand and Cambodia to “exercise maximum restraint,” warning that “our region cannot afford to see long-standing disputes slip into cycles of confrontation.” His words echoed the concerns of many across Southeast Asia, where the specter of border wars looms large in collective memory.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by US President Donald Trump in October, now appears increasingly precarious. Previous months saw five days of combat that left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead, but hopes for a lasting peace remain elusive. Both sides accuse each other of violating the truce: Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that “Thailand has never wished for violence” and framed military operations as necessary for national defense and public safety. “Thailand has never initiated a fight or an invasion, but will never tolerate a violation of its sovereignty,” he insisted.
Historic Dispute: The Preah Vihear Flashpoint
The current crisis is just the latest chapter in a dispute stretching back more than a century. The sovereignty of various stretches along the 508-mile (817-kilometer) border, especially the area around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, has been contested repeatedly. Each flare-up reignites old grievances, with both nations quick to recall past injustices.
In July 2025, territorial disputes led to five days of fierce combat, leaving dozens dead and hundreds wounded. Despite the US-brokered ceasefire, the underlying issues remain unresolved, and trust between the two governments is brittle at best.
Humanitarian Fallout: Displacement and Uncertainty
For those living in the affected regions—Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces in Thailand; Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey in Cambodia—the immediate concern is safety. With artillery and airstrikes rumbling in the distance, families are forced to make hard choices: stay and risk the crossfire, or flee and face uncertain futures in overcrowded shelters.
International aid agencies are monitoring the situation closely, ready to respond if the humanitarian crisis deepens. The mass displacement, school closures, and mounting casualties paint a grim picture of how geopolitical disputes impact real lives.
The Road Ahead: Ceasefire Under Threat
As the dust settles from the latest exchanges, questions hang in the air. Will the ceasefire hold, or is the region doomed to another round of violence? Can diplomatic efforts succeed where force has failed? With both governments adamant about defending their sovereignty, and with old wounds reopened, the search for a peaceful resolution faces steep obstacles.
As Malaysia’s prime minister cautioned, the region cannot afford to let historic disputes spiral out of control. The international community’s focus now shifts to supporting dialogue and de-escalation, hoping to prevent the tragedy from deepening.
Despite US-led diplomatic efforts, the Thailand-Cambodia border remains a flashpoint where history, politics, and local realities collide. As the world watches, the fate of thousands hangs in the balance—and the need for genuine, sustained peace has never felt more urgent.