Thailand bombs Cambodia

December 19, 2025

Violence along the Thailand–Cambodia frontier has intensified once again, killing dozens and forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border to flee their homes. The renewed clashes, which erupted earlier this month, have dealt a major blow to already fragile hopes for peace in the region.

According to officials, at least 21 people have been killed in Thailand and 17 in Cambodia since fighting resumed. The escalation has also triggered a massive humanitarian crisis, with nearly 800,000 residents displaced as shelling and cross-border attacks continue unabated. Villages near the frontier have been emptied, while emergency shelters struggle to cope with the growing number of evacuees.
The latest outbreak of violence follows the collapse of what was believed to be a tentative ceasefire. Last week, United States President Donald Trump publicly claimed that both Bangkok and Phnom Penh had agreed to revive a truce brokered during earlier negotiations. However, Thai authorities swiftly rejected the claim, maintaining that no ceasefire agreement had been finalised and that hostilities have continued on a daily basis. Cambodian officials have not confirmed the existence of any formal truce either, further highlighting the deep mistrust between the two neighbours.

As fighting intensifies, Cambodia’s interior ministry has reported damage to several casinos across the country, allegedly caused by Thai attacks since the clashes reignited. The violence has also led to the closure of key border crossings, including at Poipet, one of the busiest transit points between the two countries. Cambodian authorities described the closures as a “necessary measure” to safeguard civilians, but the decision has left thousands of Thai nationals stranded on the Cambodian side of the border, facing uncertainty and limited options to return home.

At the heart of the conflict lies a long-standing territorial dispute that dates back more than a century. The tension centres on sections of the shared 800-kilometre border and the ownership of ancient temple ruins located in contested areas. Both governments accuse each other of provoking attacks and violating territorial sovereignty, with nationalist sentiments on both sides complicating diplomatic efforts.

International mediation efforts are underway, with China dispatching a special envoy to engage with leaders in Bangkok and Phnom Penh in an attempt to de-escalate the crisis. Despite these diplomatic initiatives, there has been little sign of an immediate breakthrough. With neither side appearing willing to step back, the prospect of a lasting peace remains uncertain, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the escalating conflict.