BANGKOK – Heavy fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border has resulted in the deaths of three Thai civilians—the first non-combatant fatalities since hostilities dramatically reignited. The deaths come after a skirmish on Sunday that wounded two Thai soldiers and shattered a U.S.-brokered ceasefire originally established in July and formalized in October.

Thai Air Force Ready to Counter Cambodian Long‑Range Rocket Threat

The renewed violence has led to approximately two dozen reported fatalities and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, now sheltering in temporary camps on both sides. Tensions had persisted since the October ceasefire through sporadic clashes, propaganda campaigns, and unresolved disputes, including Cambodia’s refusal to release 18 captured Thai soldiers.

Combat has sharply intensified, with Cambodia deploying BM-21 rocket launchers and Thailand responding with targeted airstrikes. Thai military officials report sustained heavy artillery fire from Cambodian forces, which has destroyed strategic assets, including a military crane. Current official figures list nine Thai soldiers and three civilians dead on the Thai side, while Cambodia reports nine civilian casualties, including an infant.

🇹🇭 | 🇰🇭 The border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have displaced around 700,000 people

💢 11 civilians have been killed and 76 injured in Cambodia, while 9 soldiers and 3 civilians have been killed and 190 injured in Thailand since Monday https://t.co/tevkQA3x1r pic.twitter.com/85GElAKXG4

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 12, 2025

International voices have begun responding to the crisis. Pope Leo XIV expressed sorrow over the violence and displacement, while former U.S. President Donald Trump—who helped broker the initial ceasefire—plans to engage with both nations’ leaders to advocate for a renewed peace agreement. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to defend Thailand’s sovereignty but has not ruled out negotiations.

Thai Heritage Chief Vows Restoration of Temples Damaged in Border Conflict

The conflict centers on a long-standing territorial dispute, historically focused on the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. UNESCO has offered assistance to protect cultural property in the conflict zone. The dispute stems from colonial-era maps and a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded the temple to Cambodia—a decision that continues to fuel nationalistic tensions between the two nations.

-Thailand News (TN)