Deadly Clashes Spread Along Thailand–Cambodia Border, Forcing 140,000+ to Flee

Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has spread to new sections of their disputed frontier, killing at least 10 people and forcing more than 140,000 civilians to flee, officials say. Jets, tanks, drones and artillery have been reported around flashpoints including the Preah Vihear temple complex, as a fragile truce brokered earlier with U.S. involvement has broken down.

Escalation and Human Cost

Both governments accuse the other of reigniting hostilities, which by Tuesday had expanded to five provinces on each side of the roughly 800-kilometre (500-mile) colonial-era border. Thailand reported three soldiers killed and 29 wounded since Monday, while Cambodia's defence ministry said seven civilians were killed and about 20 wounded.

Officials on both sides say more than 140,000 people have been displaced: Phnom Penh reports more than 21,000 displaced across three Cambodian border provinces, while Bangkok says over 125,000 civilians have evacuated to roughly 500 makeshift shelters.

“When is this going to stop? I want this to end already,” said 56-year-old Thai farmer Samlee Tahan, who stayed behind at her Surin home to guard livestock. “It has been prolonged for the second time.”

Background: A Fragile Truce

A truce reached after intense clashes in July had been helped by high-profile intervention, including outreach involving former U.S. President Donald Trump and quieter diplomatic efforts by regional powers such as China and Malaysia. That arrangement had introduced ceasefire monitors and demining plans, but Thailand recently paused parts of the pact, accusing Cambodia of laying new mines in disputed areas.

Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen said Phnom Penh returned fire after initial denials, while Cambodia has accused Thai forces of overnight shelling that killed two people travelling on a national road. A grenade attack near the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear complex killed one Thai soldier, Thai officials said.

Military Moves and Local Impact

Thai navy spokespeople accused Cambodian forces of establishing positions and weapon bases in a disputed coastal area of Trat province and of using drones to provoke Thai troops. Thai officials said they launched operations to remove those elements.

Residents describe repeated displacements. Cambodian evacuee Poan Hay, 55, told reporters she had fled for the fourth time and was sheltering in a pagoda about 70 kilometres from the border: “I don’t know when I can return. I want the international community to help Cambodia and tell Thai soldiers to stop.”

International Response

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation and recommit to the ceasefire. Regional and international mediators face mounting pressure to contain the violence and provide humanitarian relief to tens of thousands of displaced civilians.

Humanitarian concerns: Ongoing shelling, air strikes and the use of heavy weapons near civilian areas raise acute protection and access challenges for displaced families who need shelter, food, medical care and demining support.