Airstrikes Edge Closer to Civilians and Tourist Zones
Cambodia has issued a fresh warning that Thai air attacks are now striking dangerously close to shelters for displaced civilians and major tourist locations, as renewed fighting between the two neighbours enters its second week.
According to Cambodia’s Ministries of National Defence and Information, Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped bombs near displacement camps in the Chong Kal district of Oddar Meanchey province, as well as in Srei Snam district of Siem Reap province.
The developments mark a worrying expansion of the conflict deeper into Cambodian territory.
Angkor Wat Region Caught in the Crossfire
Srei Snam district lies roughly 80 kilometres from Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most iconic cultural landmark and a vital pillar of its tourism economy.
Officials confirmed that a bridge in the area was targeted, raising serious concerns over civilian safety and the protection of globally significant heritage sites.
Cambodia’s Minister of Information, Neth Pheaktra, said this was the first confirmed Thai strike inside Siem Reap province since the latest clashes began.
Old Border Disputes, New Bloodshed
The fighting reignited on December 7, driven by long-standing territorial disputes along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
A brief skirmish that injured two Thai soldiers quickly escalated, derailing a ceasefire brokered earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump, which had temporarily halted five days of clashes in July.
Since then, the situation has sharply deteriorated.
Rising Death Toll and Mass Displacement
Officials say the renewed conflict has now killed more than two dozen people along the border and forced over half a million residents to flee their homes.
Military spokespeople from both sides confirmed that ongoing clashes, air raids, and artillery strikes continued throughout Monday.
Cambodia reports 15 civilian deaths and 73 wounded, while Thailand says 16 of its soldiers and one civilian have been killed.
Conflicting Claims Over Battlefield Losses
Thailand has yet to officially respond to Cambodia’s latest accusations but claims its military has inflicted heavy damage, including the destruction of:
- 12 tanks
- 10 armoured vehicles
- Multiple artillery and anti-aircraft systems
- Communication and drone-defence infrastructure
Thai authorities also allege that Cambodian forces fired thousands of rockets into Thai territory and claim hundreds of Cambodian soldiers have been killed.
Phnom Penh has dismissed these figures as exaggerated propaganda, while declining to release its own military casualty numbers.
Fears of Wider Escalation
Thai officials say they are attempting to cut supply routes for fuel and weapons entering Cambodia but deny reports of an impending naval blockade.
Meanwhile, international observers warn that continued escalation could destabilise the wider Southeast Asian region, particularly if civilian areas and cultural landmarks remain under threat.