Cambodia–Thailand Border Clash Escalates, Cambodian Civilian Death Toll Rises to Seven

9:10 p.m: China expressed hope that Cambodia and Thailand will exercise restraint and work together to prevent further escalation of violence, according to Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin.

“China will continue to play a constructive role for the de-escalation [of tension] in its own way,” he stated.

5:40 p.m: The Thai Air Force has reportedly deployed Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets to strike Cambodian military targets on Tuesday afternoon, months after Sweden signed a deal to sell four Gripen jets to Thailand. At the time, Swedish opposition members—including Green Party Foreign Policy Spokesperson Jacob Risberg and Member of Parliament Emma Nohrén—urged their government to suspend the sale of arms to Thailand and other non-democratic states.

5:00 p.m: While several embassies in Cambodia and international organizations, including Australia, France, and the UN, have expressed deep concern over the fresh border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia has not issued any response. When contacted by CamboJA News, a spokesperson declined to comment and referred questions to the U.S. State Department. However, according to the BBC, U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped negotiate a ceasefire between the two countries in July, has urged both sides to fully uphold their commitment.

4:40 p.m: Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed 30 diplomatic corps and international organizations, including the UN, on the latest border clashes which erupted again on December 7. 

The Ministry reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to the ceasefire and Joint Declaration with Thailand, stressing the importance of resolving disputes peacefully under international law. It called on Thailand to honor the agreement signed on October 26 2025, which was witnessed by the U.S. President and ASEAN Chair H.E. Anwar Ibrahim.

4:13 p.m: Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected calls for a ceasefire and ruled out a parliamentary debate on the Thai–Cambodian border clashes, pledging full support for the military’s operations, according to Thai local media. He emphasized that the government’s priority is to back soldiers and police with resources and moral support to continue fighting.

4:10 p.m:  At 2:40 p.m on December 9, the Thai military deployed heavy weapons close to Chak Puok Primary School in Slakram Commune, Svay Chek District, Banteay Meanchey province, and nearby corn fields. The Ministry of National Defense considered the “reckless act” as an indiscriminate attack on civilian areas, particularly targeting children’s schools.

3:40 p.m: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts strongly condemns the Thai military’s attacks on Ta Krabey Temple, a sacred Cambodian cultural site. It called on national and international bodies—especially UNESCO, the ASEAN community, and heritage protection organizations—to condemn the actions and urge the Thai military to stop all destruction.

“This reprehensible act reflects profound immorality and demonstrates a blatant disregard for culture, civilization, and the sacred heritage that forms part of the shared legacy of humanity, especially the priceless cultural patrimony built and preserved by Khmer ancestors,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry also noted that on 8 December 2025, the Preah Vihear temple suffered damage, including the total destruction of Cambodia-India joint conservation facilities and other temple structures.

3:15 p.m: Schools and educational institutions in 13 cities and districts in five provinces have been closed due to attacks by the Thai military as of the morning of December 9, affecting 4,650 teachers and 129,106 students, according to the Ministry of Education.

2:18 p.m: The Royal Thai Army reported on Monday that two more of their soldiers were killed along the Thai–Cambodian border, bringing their death toll to three since fresh clashes erupted on December 7, according to Khaosod.

2:00 p.m: As of 11 a.m. on December 9, 2025, a total of 16,568 families — or 54,550 individuals — from Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey and Pursat provinces have been displaced from their homes due to the renewed assaults, according to Information Minister Neth Pheaktra.

1:58 p.m: The Ministry of National Defense reported that as of 12:33 p.m., Thai military continued their assault, firing 105mm and 155mm artillery shells indiscriminately into civilian places, including residential areas, in Thmar Da commune, Veal Veng district in Pursat province.

1:20 p.m: The Ministry of Interior confirmed that as of the morning of December 9, renewed Thai military aggression has severely impacted civilian places in Cambodia’s border regions, along with deaths and injuries reported, mass displacement of people, and damage to infrastructure, temples and cultural sites. Seven civilians have died so far — three each in Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey provinces, and one in Preah Vihear province. Twenty people sustained injuries, while many received emergency treatment in nearby hospitals and in Phnom Penh. 

Some 1,491 families (5,597 people) in Chom Ksan district, Preah Vihear, were forced to move to eight safe zones and 3,478 families (11,060 people) to six locations in Oddar Meanchey. In Banteay Meanchey, 4,562 people sought shelter from relatives or safe displaced centers.

The Interior Ministry added that Thai artillery and air strikes, including F-16 operations, heavily damaged homes, private buildings, schools and public roads. In Oddar Meanchey, 238 out of 260 schools are closed, and nearly all schools in the border districts of Preah Vihear and Banteay Meanchey have suspended classes, with thousands of children evacuated. 

On the night of December 8, some 1,066 inmates, including 67 women, were relocated from Oddar Meanchey Provincial Prison to Siem Reap Provincial Prison due to the threat of Thai air strikes. Further casualties and damage continued as Thai forces deployed long-range munitions and released toxic smoke covering 30 kilometers of Cambodian territory. 

The Cambodian government urged ASEAN, the United Nations, and the international community to monitor, condemn, and take action against these attacks. It also demanded Thailand to immediately cease hostilities and fully comply with the ceasefire, particularly the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Peace Declaration, which was witnessed by the U.S. President and Malaysian Prime Minister, and supported by international partners.

12:17 p.m: The Poipet City Administration has urged residents in Prey Kup, Tomnub Kor 5, O’Neang and Toul Prasat to seek safety immediately.

12:15 p.m: The Ministry of Education announced that all schools in Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, will temporarily suspend classes.

12:12 p.m: At 10:30 a.m. on December 9, the Thai military reportedly deployed F-16 fighter jets, conducting air strikes in the center of Samrong City in Oddar Meanchey province, causing damage to several buildings and infrastructure.

11:15 a.m: As of 8 a.m. on December 9, 2025, a total of 3,503 families or 11,136 people, including 5,782 women, have been evacuated to six displacement centers in Oddar Meanchey province, according to Met Measpheakdey, spokesperson for the province.

10:25 a.m: Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said in a press briefing that from 8 p.m on December 8 to December 9, the Thai military launched preemptive attacks, heavily shelling Chuok Chey and Prey Chan villages. It also deployed drones over Boeung Trakuan, Boeung Pring, Thmar Puok and Kamrieng districts in Battambang province, followed by the use of heavy weapons.

9:57 a.m: Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said at a press briefing that as of 6 a.m on December 9, seven civilians were killed and 20 others sustained injuries.

9:40 a.m: France expressed concern over renewed Cambodia–Thailand border tensions and recent casualties, according to a statement by its Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. 

It urged both sides to fully implement the July 28 ceasefire. France also reaffirmed support for ASEAN’s mediation efforts and emphasized that lasting peace depends on renewed dialogue, respect for international law, and adherence to commitments made with ASEAN partners.

9:37 a.m: The Australian government voiced serious concern about the escalating tensions between Cambodia and Thailand and the rising number of civilian and military casualties. It urged both sides to honor the July 28 ceasefire, exercise the highest level of restraint, and take swift action to reduce hostilities.

“We ask both sides to implement their commitments under the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, facilitated by President Trump and Prime Minister Anwar as ASEAN Chair, rebuild trust and confidence, and pursue a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the border dispute,” it stated.

9:30 a.m: Senate President Hun Sen wrote on his Facebook page that after exercising restraint for 24 hours to observe the ceasefire, and to evacuate civilians to safety, Cambodia responded to Thailand’s attacks starting Monday evening through Tuesday morning.

He also responded to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s statement about using their military force to strike 11 locations — a list Cambodia had not been informed of.

“To make it easier to find those locations, our armed forces must fire every position targeted by the enemy,” he wrote.

“We are defending our territory from trenches and with the use of various weapons. We will not sit quietly and allow you to destroy anything you wish,” he added. “Cambodia wants peace, but we are forced to fight back to defend our land.”