Thai Bombing Reaches Cambodian Heartland

Renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated, with Thai air raids now striking deeper into Cambodian territory, including areas near shelters for displaced people and the country’s iconic tourist hub, Angkor Wat.

On Monday, Cambodia’s Ministries of National Defence and Information confirmed that Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped bombs near camps in the Chong Kal district of Oddar Meanchey province and in Srei Snam district, Siem Reap province. Cambodian authorities said a bridge in Srei Snam was specifically targeted. The location is approximately 80 km (50 miles) from Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s national symbol and major tourist attraction.

Minister for Information Neth Pheaktra stated that this marks the first time Thai forces have struck inside Siem Reap province during the latest outbreak of fighting.

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Background of the Border Conflict

The border clashes, which reignited on December 7, 2025, stem from longstanding territorial disputes between the two neighbors. A skirmish that injured two Thai soldiers disrupted a ceasefire previously brokered by former US President Donald Trump in July, which had temporarily ended five days of combat.

Since the escalation began, more than two dozen people have been killed along the border, and over half a million civilians have been displaced. Both sides report ongoing clashes and airstrikes along the border.

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Cambodian and Thai Casualties

Cambodia has reported 15 civilian deaths and 73 injuries. Thailand confirmed 16 soldiers and one civilian killed, while also estimating that its attacks have destroyed 12 Cambodian tanks, 10 armored vehicles, 4 anti-aircraft artillery systems, 7 mortars, 5 antidrone systems, and 5 communication hubs.

Bangkok claims that Cambodia has retaliated with thousands of rockets fired from truck-mounted launchers and that hundreds of Cambodian soldiers have been killed, though Phnom Penh dismisses these figures as propaganda. Neither side has fully disclosed their military casualties, highlighting the fog of war along the border region.

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Strategic and Humanitarian Concerns

Thai forces said they are attempting to cut off fuel and weapons supplies to Cambodia but denied launching a full-scale naval blockade. The escalation raises concerns not only for the stability of Southeast Asia but also for tourism and civilians in affected areas, particularly near Angkor Wat, which is central to Cambodia’s economy.

The ongoing airstrikes have prompted mass evacuations, especially in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap, where residents are fleeing bombings near shelters for the displaced.

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International Repercussions

The Cambodia-Thailand border clashes have drawn international attention due to the risk to civilians and cultural heritage sites. Analysts warn that continued escalation could destabilize the broader region, affect tourism revenues, and complicate humanitarian relief efforts for hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

The crisis underscores the urgent need for diplomacy to prevent further civilian casualties and preserve critical infrastructure, including Cambodia’s most famous temples.