Illustrative image.
A new round of clashes broke out along the disputed borders between Thailand and Cambodia on December 9, causing casualties and bringing the two countries closer to an all-out war.
The clashes started with both sides accusing the other of firing across the border. Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen, who still holds much sway in the country, said that Thai “invaders” used “all kinds of weapons… to pull [Cambodia] into retaliation”.
In a Facebook post, he accused Thailand of violating a ceasefire and the joint declaration of peace both sides signed in October.
“The red line for responding has already been set. I urge commanders at all levels to educate all officers and soldiers accordingly,” Hun Sen said.
From its side, Thailand has accused Cambodia of firing at its troops across the border and said that one of its soldiers has been killed.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul later issued a statement declaring the country’s “utmost commitment to defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law and the legitimate right of self-defense”.
Echoing Cambodia’s official statements, Anutin emphasized that his country “has not initiated or carried out any aggression”.
“However,” he added, “Thailand will not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty… and [the government] is prepared to take all necessary measures to protect national security and look after the people to the best of its ability.”
By December 9, the clashes had expanded to Thailand’s Surin, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo and Trat provinces, and Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey and Pursat provinces. The Royal Thai Air Force intervened, attacking military targets in Cambodia, which employed drones from its side.
At least seven Cambodian civilians have been killed, the Cambodian government said, noting that around 20 others were injured.
Meanwhile, officials in Thailand said that three soldiers have been killed – including a soldier who was killed by a grenade launcher – while more than 125,000 people are in temporary shelters.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been mounting for months. Early in July, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from duties after the leak of a phone call she had with Sen back in June, in which she appeared to criticize the actions of the Thai military during the border clashes.
Sen, who ruled Cambodia for almost 40 years, stepped down in 2023 and handed power to his son Hun Manet. He remains a hugely influential figure in Cambodian politics: He serves as senate president and was a friend and ally of Paetongtarn’s father, the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Notably, he was accused of leaking the phone call with Shinawatra himself.
A series of landmine blasts along the border sparked a four-day conflict between the two countries late in July, which ended with a ceasefire mediated by Malaysia with help from the United States.
The conflict, however, has much deeper roots. Thailand and Cambodia share a 817-kilometer border, largely mapped by the French when they controlled Cambodia as a colony.
Cambodia has previously sought a ruling from the United Nations International Court of Justice over disputed areas, including the site of the ongoing clash. Thailand does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples.
Now, both countries appear to be inching closer to an all-out war. The balance of power is largely in favor of Thailand. The country’s military has 361,000 active-duty personnel, more than double the size of that of Cambodia, which has 170,300 active personnel. A war could cause thousands, if not tens of thousands of casualties.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
so much for trump’s “peace” lol, pathetic.
in november 2025, the u.s. government published a new national security strategy. this document significantly impacted the country’s foreign policy. it outlines the primary issues in the realm of us national security and the planned solutions………………… https://psee.io/8ela5d
so obvious. the thai kingdom and cambodia declaring its sovereignity comes first. they all cry sovereign sovereign our lives for our sovereign now.