Bangkok : Tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border escalated sharply on December 10, 2025, after renewed military clashes forced more than 180,000 people to flee their homes. Cambodian authorities reported that Thai airstrikes killed nine civilians and injured 20 others, deepening one of the worst flare-ups in the region in years.
The latest violence erupted near the disputed Preah Vihear temple, a historical flashpoint claimed by both countries. Cambodia said the confrontation intensified after Thai forces responded to Cambodian rocket deployments, resulting in retaliatory fire that killed three Thai soldiers.
Regional diplomacy is now in urgent focus. ASEAN has called for immediate dialogue, while US President Donald Trump has offered to mediate talks between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. Observers warn the conflict could destabilize the broader region if not de-escalated swiftly.
The humanitarian fallout continues to grow, with officials estimating over 500,000 people have now been displaced since the tensions began rising. Cambodia has also withdrawn from the Southeast Asian Games, citing national security priorities and military mobilization.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged restraint, while Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet condemned the airstrikes as “unprovoked aggression.” Analysts note this is the most serious confrontation since 2008, when more than 20 people were killed in border fighting.
Both sides are fortifying their positions as international pressure mounts to prevent further escalation.
