Image Credentials: Image Title: Cross-Border War Erupts: Thailand-Cambodia Fighting Enters Fourth Day Amid Civilian Casualties Source: (sora.openai) Date: December 2025. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH – Renewed and heavy cross-border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has entered its fourth consecutive day, severely disrupting peace in Southeast Asia. Both nations are exchanging blistering accusations of violating international law as they await a promised phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently brokered a short-lived ceasefire.
Clashes on Wednesday spanned more than a dozen locations along the contested 817-kilometre (508-mile) colonial-era border, marking some of the most intense fighting reported since a deadly five-day battle in July. The conflict has now expanded to five provinces, forcing over 500,000 Thai and Cambodian civilians to flee border areas.
Cambodia’s Ministry of the Interior detailed severe damage to civilian centers, accusing the Thai military of “intensified shelling and F-16 air strikes targeting villages and civilian population centres up to 30km inside Cambodian territory.”
NEW: Thailand launched dozens of F-16 airstrikes into southern Cambodia yesterday and today.
What started as a few strikes has surged to 20+ sorties.
So far:
At least 14 dead, including civilians.
500,000+ displaced.
Both sides deny being the aggressor. pic.twitter.com/ZA69dXq0fB— Clash Report (@clashreport) December 9, 2025
Tragically, the ministry reported that the death toll on the Cambodian side had reached 10 civilians, including one infant, with 60 people injured as of Wednesday. They condemned the “brutal acts of aggression” and specifically accused Thai forces of opening fire indiscriminately on civilian areas, including schools, and destroying revered cultural sites such as the Ta Krabey and Preah Vihear temples, which are designated world cultural heritage sites.
The Cambodian Ministry of Defence also accused Thai forces of deploying tanks and artillery in early Thursday morning attacks on Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddar Meanchey provinces, urging Thailand to “immediately stop all hostile activities and withdraw its forces.”
Thailand quickly countered the accusations. The Thai army acknowledged returning fire but stated that Cambodia was “intentionally” using historical sites, such as the Khnar Temple area, as a “military base of operations.” The army claimed this action made Cambodia guilty of violating international law and undermining the protection of ancient sites.
The Thai army reported that eight Thai soldiers have been killed and 80 more wounded since the conflict reignited on Monday. Both sides blame the other for reigniting the border conflict.
The escalating conflict comes just weeks after President Trump presided over the signing of a ceasefire between the neighbors in Kuala Lumpur on October 26. Hailing that deal as successful, President Trump expressed optimism on Wednesday about securing a new agreement.
“I think I can get them to stop fighting,” Trump told reporters, confirming that he was “scheduled to speak to them tomorrow,” signaling an imminent attempt at high-level diplomatic intervention to halt the violence.