Armed conflict

Thailand Launches Airstrikes on Cambodia After Deadly Clashes

Did Cambodia fire first, or did Thailand launch unprovoked assaults?

Published DEC 8 2025

Thailand Launches Airstrikes on Cambodia After Deadly Clashes

Story

Above: Cambodian and Thai soldiers arguing at the Chong An Ma area in Ubon Ratchathani on Aug. 19, 2025. Image credit: Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

The Facts

Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodian military positions on Monday after a Thai soldier was killed and several others were wounded. Thai military spokesman Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree stated that the strikes targeted arms supporting positions near Chong An Ma Pass.
CNN
The Times of India
Bangkok Post
Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense denied initiating the attacks and accused Thai forces of launching the first assault at around 5:04 a.m. near Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples — it stated that Cambodia did not retaliate during the assaults.
CNN
Kiripost
Mario Nawfal on X
About 35,000 people in Thailand have been evacuated from areas along the border with Cambodia, according to Thailand's Second Army Region, while Cambodian officials reported villagers near the border are fleeing to safety and schools in Oddar Meanchey province have been suspended.
Al Jazeera
XINHUA
WFXG FOX 54
The violence marks the most serious breach of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords signed in late October and witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which followed a five-day conflict in July that killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands.
BBC News
The Times of India
New York Post
Thailand suspended implementation of the ceasefire deal last month following a landmine blast that wounded several Thai soldiers. Bangkok claimed that Cambodia had newly planted the explosives, while Phnom Penh denied responsibility for the incident.
Al Jazeera
The Times of India
Khaosod English
Meanwhile, Ibrahim, who helped broker the peace deal, urged both sides to exercise "maximum restraint," warning that "the renewed fighting risks unravelling the careful work that has gone into stabilizing relations between the two neighbors."
South China Morning Post
BBC News
Anwar Ibrahim on X

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Cambodia repeatedly opened fire first on Thai positions along the border, forcing Thai troops to respond in self-defense and injuring two Thai soldiers. Clear evidence shows that Cambodian forces crossed into Thai territory while engineering units were conducting legitimate road work, then attacked the security team protecting them. Cambodia's denial of responsibility for the firing is false and follows a pattern of rejecting responsibility for cross-border aggression.

The Nation Thailand

TASS

Narrative B

Thailand launched unprovoked military assaults across multiple border locations using heavy artillery, tanks, mortars and F-16 airstrikes targeting both Cambodian forces and civilian areas. Despite these escalating attacks that injured civilians and destroyed homes, Cambodian troops maintained restraint and did not return fire, adhering strictly to the ceasefire agreement. Thailand's false claims attempt to shift blame and provoke further military escalation.