Thailand Launches Airstrikes Amid Renewed Border Clashes with Cambodia, Ceasefire Collapses

Thailand has reportedly launched airstrikes against Cambodia, marking a severe escalation in the long-standing territorial dispute between the two Southeast Asian nations. This development, occurring on Monday, December 8, 2025, follows renewed border clashes that have shattered a fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump in October, according to reports from CNA and The Guardian.

theguardian.com reported, The Royal Thai Air Force confirmed its use of fighter jets to strike military targets in several areas, with Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai, a spokesman for the Royal Thai Air Force, stating that Cambodia had mobilized heavy weaponry and repositioned combat units, necessitating the air power. Thailand's military said these actions were in self-defense after observing continued Cambodian attacks, as reported by The Straits Times.

Cambodia, however, vehemently denied initiating the hostilities, with Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense, stating that Thailand's air attack came after "numerous provocative actions for many days" and that Cambodia did not retaliate initially. Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra reported that at least four Cambodian civilians were killed by Thai shelling on Monday in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

channelnewsasia.com noted, The renewed fighting has resulted in casualties on both sides, with at least one Thai soldier killed and several others wounded since Sunday, December 7, according to Thai army spokesman Major-General Winthai Suvaree. The Guardian reported on Tuesday, December 9, that Cambodia's Defence Ministry stated two more civilians had been killed overnight, bringing their death toll to six.

Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes, with Thailand evacuating 438,000 residents across five border provinces, and Cambodian authorities moving hundreds of thousands to safety, as reported by CNA and The Guardian. The U.S. Embassy in Thailand issued a security alert on December 8, advising citizens to avoid all travel within 50 kilometers of the border due to active hostilities and an unpredictable security situation.

washingtonpost.com reported, International bodies and leaders have called for immediate de-escalation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation, while Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who helped broker the earlier truce, called for calm and open communication channels, according to Reuters.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated on Monday that his government would do whatever necessary to protect its territorial integrity and would not engage in dialogue with Cambodia, asserting that "there will be no talks" until Cambodia meets Thailand's conditions. This stance underscores the deep-seated nature of the conflict, which has seen tensions simmer despite previous diplomatic efforts.

• theguardian.com noted, Historical Context of the Border Dispute: The current conflict is rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute that dates back over a century, primarily stemming from the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907, which defined the border between Siam (now Thailand) and French Indochina (which included Cambodia). The demarcation of the 817km land border has always been contentious, particularly around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 and reaffirmed in 2013 to be on Cambodian territory. This historical disagreement has frequently ignited nationalist fervor and armed clashes, including a deadly week-long artillery exchange in 2011.

• Breakdown of the Trump-Brokered Ceasefire: A ceasefire agreement, brokered by US President Donald Trump and signed in October in Kuala Lumpur, aimed to end five days of intense fighting in July that killed at least 48 people and displaced 300,000. However, this truce proved fragile. Thailand suspended the deal in November, accusing Cambodia of laying new landmines that injured Thai soldiers, a claim Cambodia denies. The recent clashes represent the most serious breach of this agreement, with both sides blaming each other for its collapse.

• channelnewsasia.com reported, Accusations and Military Actions: Thailand's military, including the Royal Thai Air Force, confirmed launching airstrikes using fighter jets against Cambodian military targets. Thai army spokesman Major-General Winthai Suvaree stated that air support was called in after Cambodian forces initiated attacks and mobilized heavy weaponry. Conversely, Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense accused Thailand of launching "inhumane and brutal acts of aggression" and using "toxic gas," while maintaining that Cambodian troops initially did not retaliate.

• Humanitarian Impact and Evacuations: The renewed conflict has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis along the border. Thai authorities evacuated approximately 438,000 civilians from five border provinces, while Cambodia also moved hundreds of thousands of people to safety. The U.S. Embassy in Thailand issued a security alert, urging its citizens to avoid the 50-kilometer zone near the border due to the volatile situation and limited emergency services.

• washingtonpost.com noted, International Calls for Restraint: The international community has expressed grave concern over the escalating violence. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to both nations to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation, according to his spokesperson. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who played a role in the earlier ceasefire, called for calm and urged both sides to keep communication channels open, warning that the renewed fighting risks unraveling previous stabilization efforts.

• Political Stance and Future Outlook: Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has adopted a firm stance, declaring that there would be "no talks" until Cambodia adheres to Thailand's demands, emphasizing the defense of Thai sovereignty. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, however, urged Thailand not to use military force against civilian villages under the pretext of reclaiming sovereignty. The lack of willingness for immediate dialogue from Thailand suggests a prolonged period of heightened tension and potential for further military engagement, making a swift resolution appear unlikely.