Cambodia Condemns Intensified Thai Military Assaults Along Border, Reports Civilian Injuries and Large-Scale Destruction
Cambodia Condemns Intensified Thai Military Assaults Along Border, Reports Civilian Injuries and Large-Scale Destruction
Phnom Penh, 8 December 2025 — The Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia has issued a strong and formal condemnation of what it described as a series of large-scale and coordinated military attacks launched by Thai armed forces against Cambodian positions and civilian areas along the Cambodia–Thailand border in the early hours of 8 December 2025.
According to an official statement delivered by Her Excellency Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence, Thai forces began a sustained military operation at approximately 05:04 a.m., targeting multiple locations including An Ses, Tamoan Thom Temple, areas surrounding Preah Vihear Temple (5 Makara), Chomka Chek, Mum Bei, Phnom Kmoch, Koul 8, Ta Krabey Temple, and Khna Temple.
The ministry reported that this escalation followed an earlier Thai armed attack at 2:15 p.m. on 7 December 2025 and was preceded by days of systematic provocations. Thai units were alleged to have deployed heavy military vehicles, carried out repeated small-arms and machine-gun fire, launched mortar and heavy-artillery strikes, and deployed tanks against Cambodian defensive positions.
The statement further noted the reported use of toxic gas in areas surrounding Phnom Kmoch and Preah Vihear Temple, as well as the deployment of F-16 fighter jets at approximately 09:05 a.m. to strike locations in Sra’aem Commune, Choam Ksan District, Preah Vihear Province. Continuous shelling was also reported in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, with projectiles impacting residential villages, causing civilian injuries, destroying homes, and forcing large-scale displacement of families, including children and the elderly.
Provincial authorities in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey have since coordinated emergency evacuations to relocate civilians from high-risk zones to designated areas of safety.
Despite the severity of the attacks, Cambodian forces did not retaliate, maintaining strict adherence to the Ceasefire Agreement, the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand, and the principles of peaceful dispute resolution under international law.
The Ministry of National Defence condemned in the strongest possible terms what it described as “inhumane and brutal acts” by the Thai military, characterizing these actions as a grave breach of the Joint Declaration of 26 October 2025, witnessed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as ASEAN Chair.
Cambodia formally appealed to the international community to condemn these violations and called on Thailand to assume full responsibility, immediately cease all hostile actions, and return to genuine compliance with international legal obligations and bilateral agreements.
The Royal Government of Cambodia reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to peace, stability, and diplomatic solutions, stressing that it will continue to seek a just, fair, and lasting resolution through lawful and peaceful means.
