Thailand launches F-16 air strikes after deadly border clashes with Cambodia

BANGKOK, THAILAND: Fresh fighting has erupted along the Thai–Cambodian border, prompting Thailand to launch F-16 air strikes after clashes left one soldier dead and four wounded on 8 December 2025.

The escalation threatens a fragile US-brokered peace accord signed in October 2025.

According to a statement issued by Thailand’s military, the clashes broke out in Ubon Ratchathani province in the early hours of 8 December.

Thai forces reported that Cambodian troops fired small arms, machine guns, mortars and artillery across multiple border points.

The Thai response involved both ground fire and air operations.

Military officials said the actions were taken under international rules to protect sovereignty while seeking to avoid broader escalation.

Thai media reported that F-16 fighter jets were deployed to strike Cambodian artillery and fire-support positions believed to be targeting Thai territory.

The Royal Thai Air Force confirmed that the jets were providing close air support to ground units.

Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said fighting continued from 7 December, when Cambodian troops allegedly attacked in the Phu Pha Lek–Phlan Hin Paet Kon area of Si Sa Ket province.

He added that new clashes erupted at around 5.05am on 8 December in the Chong An Ma area of Nam Yuen district.

Winthai said Thai forces came under further attack at about 7am in the Chong Bok area, also in Nam Yuen district.

One Thai soldier was killed and four were wounded in that incident.

He stated that Thailand had begun using aircraft to suppress Cambodian fire-support positions.

Those positions had allegedly used artillery and air-dropped munitions against Thai troops at Anupong Base.

Initial Thai air-strike targets were identified in three locations: Chong An Ma, Prasat Khana and a radio mast site near the Preah Vihear area.

These sites were believed to be command posts and fire-support positions directing fire against Thai territory.

Along other sections of the border, the Suranaree Task Force and the Burapha Task Force have deployed personnel to support the evacuation of civilians.

According to Thai authorities, more than 385,000 civilians across four districts are being evacuated, with over 35,000 already in temporary shelters.

Cambodia rejects Thai's allegation

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence issued a contrasting account.

It said Thai forces launched dawn attacks on Cambodian positions after what it described as “days of provocative actions” by Thailand.

In its statement, the ministry rejected Thai allegations, insisting Cambodia had not fired a single shot.

Phnom Penh stated that at around 05:04am, Thai troops attacked Cambodian locations in Preah Vihear province, including An Ses, Tamone Thom, 5 Makara and Chomka Chek.

Cambodia claimed it had adhered strictly to ceasefire commitments and refrained from responding to two rounds of Thai attacks.

It said the ASEAN Observer Team had been notified and requested to investigate.

The Cambodian statement accused Thailand of “inhumane and brutal” actions violating the October 2025 Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement.

The accord had been signed by both prime ministers in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Neither country’s claims have been independently verified.

Both governments continue to accuse each other of provoking hostilities.

The renewed violence follows earlier exchanges of fire over the preceding weekend.
Each side accused the other of initiating the attacks.

Tension between the neighbours has remained high since July 2025, when a five-day conflict left at least 48 people dead and temporarily displaced an estimated 300,000 people.
That conflict involved heavy artillery and rocket exchanges along multiple points of the border.

Although an October ceasefire brought temporary calm, relations deteriorated again after a landmine blast in November maimed a Thai soldier.

Thailand responded by suspending implementation of parts of the ceasefire agreement.

Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty along sections of their 817km border for more than a century.

The boundary was first mapped in 1907 during French colonial rule over Cambodia.

Periodic skirmishes have disrupted efforts to settle overlapping claims through negotiation.

Notable flashpoints include clashes near the Preah Vihear Temple area, where ownership disputes have persisted despite international mediation.