Mass Displacement and Civilian Casualties Mount in Cambodia After Thai Strikes
Displaced Cambodians in Siem Reap province, away from the conflict zone,
Phnom Penh, 12 December 2025 — The Ministry of Interior of the Royal Government of Cambodia has issued an urgent update to the national and international community detailing the severe humanitarian and infrastructural impacts caused by Thailand’s continued violation of international law and repeated breaches of the ceasefire agreement. From 6:00 p.m. on 11 December to 7:00 a.m. on 12 December 2025, Thai armed attacks inside Cambodian sovereign territory have intensified, inflicting further casualties, displacing thousands, and causing extensive destruction to civilian areas.
According to the Ministry, two additional civilians — a 60-year-old woman and an 8-year-old child in Banteay Meanchey province — were injured during the latest wave of shelling. This brings the total number of Cambodian civilians killed since 7 December to 11, with 76 injured, many of whom remain in emergency care.
Civilian displacement has surged dramatically. In the last 24 hours alone, an additional 2,629 families (8,793 people) have fled their homes due to intensified Thai attacks. Across six affected provinces — Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pursat, and Koh Kong — more than 81,381 families, or approximately 274,403 civilians, have now been displaced. Over 66,421 people have sought refuge in Siem Reap province, though these figures exclude those who have fled independently. Evacuations continue to rise this morning as Thai assaults escalate.
Civilian infrastructure has sustained devastating damage. Homes, private businesses, schools, pagodas, administrative buildings, historic temples, and major roads have been heavily hit by intensified Thai shelling and repeated F-16 air strikes — including strikes reaching as deep as 80–90 kilometers inside Cambodian territory. Essential public services across multiple provinces have been completely suspended. A total of 909 schools have been forced to close, disrupting the education of 216,107 students and affecting 7,601 teachers. The Ministry further warns that Thailand has continued deploying toxic smoke inside Cambodian territory, posing additional danger to public health.
The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed Cambodia’s full confidence in the leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate and Senior Logistic Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia. Under their strategic command, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Border Protection Police continue to defend national sovereignty with unwavering resolve. Ministries, local governments, law enforcement, healthcare teams, youth volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and civilians nationwide remain united in supporting frontline forces, assisting injured citizens, and helping displaced families with strong patriotic spirit.
Cambodia once again calls upon ASEAN, the United Nations, and the broader international community to urgently monitor, condemn, and take appropriate actions under international law in response to Thailand’s brutal and unlawful military conduct. The Ministry stresses that Thai government and armed forces have committed grave violations of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention Against Torture, the ASEAN Charter, and other binding international norms.
Cambodia demands that Thailand immediately cease all acts of aggression, honor the ceasefire terms, and fully comply with the Cambodia–Thailand Peace Agreement Joint Declaration — signed by the Prime Ministers of both countries and witnessed by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, with support from international partners.
