An wounded Thai soldier is carried to be transferred to a hospital, in Surin province, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, following clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers. Associated Press
Renewed Thailand–Cambodia border fighting continued without relief on Wednesday, forcing hundreds of thousands into overcrowded shelters. Despite international concern, both sides showed no willingness to halt the escalating violence. Associated Press reporters stationed in Thailand confirmed hearing continuous outgoing fire along the frontier.
Heavy Fighting Rekindles Longstanding Conflict
The surge in violence began after a weekend skirmish that wounded two Thai soldiers. This clash shattered a fragile ceasefire previously brokered by Malaysia and pushed forward by U.S. President Donald Trump. That agreement had paused five days of intense combat in July, but tensions never fully eased.
Trump said he would speak with both leaders on Thursday and expressed confidence in brokering peace again. He reiterated his belief that he could “stop the fighting,” even renewing his exaggerated claims of ending multiple global conflicts.
Leaders on Both Sides Take Hardened Stances
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to keep fighting, while Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen promised a fierce response. Their public declarations signaled little interest in an immediate return to negotiations.
Over a dozen people have been killed in this latest wave of conflict. Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri, speaking for the Thai military, confirmed about 400,000 evacuations across four border provinces. Cambodia reported 127,000 people evacuated, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis.
Rising Casualties and Civilian Risk
Thailand said five soldiers died and dozens more were wounded. Cambodia reported nine civilian deaths, including a baby, and 46 injuries.
Cross-border attacks continued to threaten civilian areas. A hospital in Thailand’s Surin province had to be evacuated after rockets landed only 500 meters away.
Amid rising hostilities, Cambodia also withdrew from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games hosted in Thailand. Its Olympic committee cited safety concerns for athletes’ families.
U.S. Pushes for Renewed Ceasefire
The previous ceasefire succeeded largely due to pressure from Trump, who threatened to withdraw trade privileges if both countries refused to comply.
Trump promised fresh intervention, saying he intended to call both leaders soon. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both nations to honor commitments made in an October meeting, including removing heavy weapons, coordinating land mine removal, and respecting agreed boundaries.
But Prime Minister Anutin said Washington had not contacted Thailand about a new ceasefire. He did not reject negotiations outright but insisted he would not enter talks merely because Trump requested it.
Weapons Escalation Raises Alarm
The fighting has intensified significantly. Thailand deployed jet fighters for airstrikes on what it claims are Cambodian military positions. Cambodia responded with BM-21 rocket launchers, capable of firing salvos up to 40 kilometers.
Thailand’s military said Cambodian forces fired 79 salvos, launching 3,160 rockets on Wednesday alone. Artillery fire and bomb-dropping drones were also reported.
Thai forces claimed they destroyed a crane on a hill within the disputed zone near the Preah Vihear temple, alleging it held electronic systems used for military operations.
A 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew remains in effect across four districts of Sa Kaeo province under martial law.
Lives Disrupted as Evacuations Surge
In Surin province, temporary shelters now hold hundreds of frightened evacuees. Many left behind homes, livestock, and their livelihoods.
Thirty-seven-year-old farmer Thidarat Homhual described the anxiety shared by many displaced families.
“We are behind the front line. We can live like this. It’s OK,” she said. “But I want it to be over.”
Her words reflect the sentiments of thousands caught between the two militaries—people hoping for peace even as leaders dig in for a prolonged conflict.
Outlook: No Clear End in Sight
With hardened rhetoric, rising casualties, and heavy weapon deployments, the Thailand–Cambodia border conflict shows no signs of easing. The humanitarian situation worsens as more families flee, and hopes for another ceasefire rest on diplomatic pressure that may or may not hold.
Keyword Focus: Thailand–Cambodia border fighting, ceasefire collapse, regional conflict, cross-border attacks, evacuations, rocket fire, humanitarian crisis
