UPDATES:
1:40 p.m: As of Wednesday, 635 schools in six border provinces have been closed, affecting 5,441 teachers and 163,528 students, according to the Ministry of Education. It also announced the temporary suspension of teaching and learning in Samlot, Kamrieng, Sampov Loun, and Phnom Proek districts of Battambang province following expanded Thai artillery fire this morning in Battambang.
01:27 p.m: Senior adviser to Prime Minister Hun Manet, Suos Yara, told CNA that Cambodia is open to immediate bilateral talks with Thailand to ease escalating border tensions, as the protection of lives is paramount. In contrast, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told local media that Cambodia has not made any formal contact to begin negotiations. He called on the Thai public to follow updates from the military, insisting that their troops “still have the situation under control”.
12:15 p.m: The Royal Thai Navy has launched “Trat Prap Porapak” (Trat Suppresses Foes), mobilizing sea, air, and land forces to defend the Chanthaburi–Trat border near Cambodia’s Koh Kong province, according to Thai local media.
It reported that Thai navy personnel are on full combat readiness, with weapons systems on ships armed to respond to any escalation. The navy has also warned fishing vessels to avoid the maritime boundary and report any sightings of Cambodian warships, it said.
12:05 p.m: The National Defense Ministry confirmed that Thai military forces have expanded attacks on Cambodian territory in Phnom Proek and Sampov Loun districts in Battambang province. At 11:15 a.m., they fired two shells into Chakrei Commune, Phnom Proek district, and at 11:30 a.m., they reinforced their infantry and deployed tanks in Ta Sda commune, Sampov Loun district. Owing to this, residents have been asked to evacuate to safety to Bavel and Thmar Koul districts, provincial governor Sok Lou said.
11:33 a.m: The Ministry of National Defense said tensions remain high along the Cambodian and Thai border:
- 8:55 a.m.: The Thai military launched a heavy attack in Bosbov–Chaom Tae.
- 9:01 a.m.: Artillery shells were fired into Chey Chomneas village, Thmar Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat.
- 9:08 a.m.: The Thai military used DK machine guns and Bombard drones to strike Chey Chomneas village.
- 9:40 a.m.: Several Thai fighter jets bombed multiple targets, including Mom Bei, An Ses, Phnom Kmoch, and Preah Vihear Temple.
- 9:45 a.m.: Thai infantry entered Veal Entry and Chomka Chek.
- 10:13 a.m.: A heavy attack was launched by Thai forces in the An Ses area.
11:12 a.m: Following renewed border clashes, U.S. President Donald Trump said he will reach out to the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, according to The Straits Times.
“Tomorrow I’ll have to make a phone call” to both countries, Trump said at a rally in Pennsylvania on December 9. “Who else could say: I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war between two very powerful countries? We’re making peace through strength.”
11:07 a.m: Figures from a provincial health official showed 37 more Cambodian soldiers and five local police injured in clashes in Preah Vihear between Tuesday and early Wednesday. Most were wounded by shelling or exposed to “toxic smoke,” according to the information shared.
10:35 a.m: The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) on December 10 issued new measures to ease the burden of people affected by the Cambodia–Thai border conflict, following Prime Minister Hun Manet’s call for support.
NBC instructed banking and financial institutions to waive all credit-related fees and penalties for military personnel involved in combat and displaced civilians from now until March 31, 2026, and to suspend interest and principal payments during the same period without capitalizing interest.
In addition, NBC ordered the cancellation of loans up to 10 million riel for soldiers who are disabled on the battlefield, and up to 80 million riel for fallen soldiers or co-borrowers.
It further encouraged financial institutions to provide additional flexibility and understanding to other individuals affected by the conflict.
Meanwhile, Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA) and the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) said on Wednesday that relief measures would continue being implemented for people affected by the border conflict. The measures are in line with the July 30 directive issued by the National Bank of Cambodia, it added.
10:09 a.m: Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said in a press briefing that Thailand continues to attack Cambodia using various heavy weapons and has deployed a large number of troops.
Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata noted that Thai forces opened fire first on Cambodian territory in Military Region 4. Below are the details:
- 5:20 a.m., the Thai army targeted the Ta Moan Thom temple area.
- 6:15 a.m., the Thai army fired artillery toward the An Ses area.
- 7:05 a.m., heavy artillery strikes were reported at Kou village, behind Ta Moan Thom.
- 7:15 a.m., heavy artillery continued to target the Ta Moan Thom area, expanding to the Thmar Doun and Ta Krabey temple areas. Thailand’s F-16 fighter jets also conducted airstrikes.
- 7:39 a.m., the Thai army fired artillery against Khnar temple, Ta Krabey temple, and Thmar Doun temple.
- As of 9:00 a.m., firing by Thai forces continued in Cambodian territory.
The situation in Military Region 5:
- 6:26 a.m., Thai infantry units supported by tanks pushed into the Boeung Trakuon area.
- 7:09 a.m., Thailand increased its infantry presence, again supported by numerous tanks in the Boeung Trakuon area.
- 7:10 a.m., Thai forces advanced into Prey Chan village.
- 9:45 a.m., the Thai military flew F-16 fighter jets over O’Bei Choan commune and Poipet city.
- 9:50 a.m., F-16s flew over the Stueng Bot roundabout in Poipet city, dropping two bombs on Slakram village in Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province.
9:20 a.m: Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said during a press briefing on Wednesday that as of 5.30 p.m on December 9, a total of 20,105 families — or 101,229 people — had been displaced in five provinces since fighting broke out on December 7.
The United States on December 9 expressed concern over renewed clashes and casualties along the Cambodian–Thai border, calling on both sides to honor the Peace Accords, according to a press release from the U.S. State Department.
“We strongly urge the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords signed by the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand and witnessed by President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” it stated.
However, as of 7 a.m on December 10, the Thai army continued to open fire on Cambodian territories in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey provinces, local media reported.
Meanwhile, Thai local media has said that the Thai Navy has deployed vessels to support border operations along the Koh Kong–Trat area where Thailand alleges Cambodia has encroached on its territory. The Cambodian government has not issued a response at the time of writing.
As of December 9, seven civilians had been killed and 20 injured in the renewed clashes. A total of 16,568 families or 54,550 people from Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey provinces have been displaced to shelters across five provinces, according to Information Minister Neth Pheaktra.
To date, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense has yet to announce military casualties. However, CamboJA News reporters observed on Tuesday the funeral of a soldier in Krong, Preah Vihear, who was killed in the fighting near the disputed Preah Vihear Temple, mourners from his home village said.
Note: CamboJA will keep update for more information.
