Hostilities along the Thai Cambodian frontier escalated for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday, with Bangkok and Phnom Penh trading accusations of breaching international law while anticipating a promised phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at de-escalating tensions.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence reported a series of pre-dawn strikes allegedly launched by Thai forces across multiple provinces, including Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddar Meanchey. According to the ministry, Thailand deployed tanks, heavy artillery and mechanised units, hitting both military and civilian areas. One incident cited by Cambodian officials involved alleged Thai fire on residents of Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey, which they say constitutes a violation of international humanitarian norms.
Officials also accused Thai troops of launching shells into the Khnar Temple zone, an area already highly sensitive due to previous territorial disputes and firing additional artillery around the O’Smach border corridor.
“Cambodia calls on Thailand to cease all military operations immediately and withdraw its personnel from our sovereign territory. Continued aggressive actions jeopardise not only bilateral peace but also the stability of the wider region,” the Defence Ministry stated.
Wednesday’s clashes alone were recorded at more than a dozen points along the 817-kilometre (508-mile) contested boundary, originally drawn during the colonial era. Local media reported that the fighting was the heaviest since a five-day confrontation in July, during which both sides suffered dozens of casualties.
Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said that residential districts, schools, transport routes, Buddhist monasteries and several archaeological sites had sustained damage following what it described as “intensified shelling and F-16 air assaults” by Thai forces, reaching as far as 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) inside Cambodian territory. Authorities accused Thailand of striking civilian clusters “indiscriminately” and of inflicting further destruction on the Ta Krabey and Preah Vihear temple complexes locations recognised as significant cultural heritage.
As of late Wednesday, Cambodian officials reported 10 civilian deaths including an infant and at least 60 injuries.
Thailand rejected the allegations, countering that Cambodian troops had “deliberately converted” a protected heritage site into an active military position. In a statement, the Thai army insisted that its operations were conducted “in necessary response” to attacks originating from within the temple grounds. The Thai military also confirmed eight soldiers killed and roughly 80 others wounded since fighting reignited earlier in the week.
Each country continues to hold the other responsible for the renewed outbreak of violence, which initially flared on Monday and has since spread into five provinces on both sides of the border, according to figures compiled by AFP.
More than half a million civilians have now evacuated border communities, leaving large areas effectively deserted.
The surge in conflict comes less than three weeks after President Trump presided over the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in Kuala Lumpur, alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. At the time, Trump praised the mediators for achieving “what many doubted was possible.”
On Wednesday, Trump expressed confidence that a new cessation of hostilities could still be achieved. “I believe I can get them to halt the fighting,” he told reporters, adding that a call with both governments was expected on Thursday.