Shaun
Thailand launched air strikes on Monday (December 8, 2025) on its neighbour, Cambodia, with both sides trading blame for renewed fighting on their disputed border that has killed four Cambodian civilians and a Thai soldier.
The fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has now spread along their contested border as the Thai military is preparing to take action to expel Cambodian forces from its territory on Tuesday, after a territorial dispute broke into open combat again on Monday when a Thai soldier and six people in Cambodia were killed, Reuters reported.
Both the sides have accused each other of breaching a precarious ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in October that ended the five days of fighting in July. Cambodia’s defence ministry confirmed on Tuesday that two civilians were killed overnight, which took the death toll to six in the recent skirmish.
The Thai Navy, in a statement on Tuesday morning, said Cambodian forces were detected inside Thailand’s territory in the coastal province of Trat and a military operation was launched to expel them. Further details regarding the operation or the detection of Cambodian forces weren’t provided.
Reacting to the latest skirmish with the Thai army, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said late on Monday that Thailand “must not use military force to attack civilian villages under the pretext of reclaiming its sovereignty”. Cambodia’s administration also said that they have not retaliated to Thailand’s attack even after their forces came under sustained attack.
In contrast to Cambodia’s stance, the Thai Navy said that Cambodian forces were increasing their presence, deploying snipers and heavy weapons, improving fortified positions and digging trenches, Reuters reported. The navy added that they see these actions by Cambodian forces “as a direct and serious threat to Thailand’s sovereignty”.
