Thai and Cambodian forces clashed along their shared border while working‑level talks continued to try to halt renewed fighting that began in early December. Cambodia accused Thailand of using F‑16s to drop about 40 bombs on a village in Banteay Meanchey, destroying homes and infrastructure, though Phnom Penh had no immediate casualty totals. Thailand said the strike aimed to protect Sa Kaeo province and is pushing for a 72‑hour ceasefire that could lead to repatriation of prisoners of war. Hundreds of thousands have been evacuated and international actors have offered to help mediate.
Thailand Strikes Cambodian Village During Border Talks as Tensions Escalate
ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting convenes Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to resume ceasefire talks after deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. (Thai MFA via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
BANGKOK — Thai and Cambodian forces exchanged fire along their shared border on Friday while officials from both countries met in an effort to halt renewed clashes that began in early December and broke a five‑month ceasefire.
Cambodia's Defense Ministry said Thai F‑16 fighter jets dropped roughly 40 bombs on a village in Banteay Meanchey province in northwestern Cambodia. The ministry reported no immediate confirmation of casualties but said homes and infrastructure were destroyed.
This handout photo provided by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand shows a rescued lioness in a wildlife breeding center in Ratchaburi, Thailand, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Thailand's military confirmed the strike, saying a joint army‑air operation was necessary to protect Sa Kaeo province, which borders Banteay Meanchey and lies within an area of overlapping territorial claims between the two countries.
Background
The long‑running territorial dispute along the border flared into open combat in late July. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim mediated an initial halt to the fighting, and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump helped secure a fragile ceasefire after five days of hostilities. Both sides now accuse the other of violating that truce and say their actions are in self‑defense.
This handout photo provided by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand shows a sedated bear found in Trat Province in eastern Thailand, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2025.(Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
"If Cambodia is not sincere about a ceasefire, peace will not be possible, and Thailand will have no choice but to proceed with full‑scale military operations to defend its sovereignty," Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai, a spokesperson for Thailand's air force, said Friday.
Diplomacy And Negotiations
Military delegations continued a third day of working‑level talks under the General Border Committee at a checkpoint between Cambodia's Pailin province and Thailand's Chanthaburi province. The committee is expected to conclude its meetings on Saturday, when defense ministers from both countries are due to arrive and formalize any agreement.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand expects Cambodia to accept a 72‑hour ceasefire; if successfully implemented, Thailand would consider repatriating Cambodian prisoners of war, a major Cambodian demand.
This handout photo provided by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand shows a rescued lion in a wildlife breeding center in Ratchaburi, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
U.S. officials have offered to help mediate. The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet that Washington stands ready "to facilitate discussions to ensure peace and stability" between the two countries. Separately, President Trump spoke by phone with both prime ministers on Dec. 12 and publicized what he said was an agreement to revive the ceasefire; Thailand's prime minister denied such an agreement and fighting continued.
Human Cost
Thai officials say the conflict has cost Thailand 26 soldiers and one civilian since Dec. 7, and they report 44 civilian deaths linked to the clashes. Cambodia has not released official military casualty figures but says 30 civilians have been killed and 90 wounded. Authorities on both sides have evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from affected areas.
This handout photo provided by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand shows a lioness found in Trat Province in eastern Thailand, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Unusual Humanitarian Note
Amid the fighting, Thai media reported that five malnourished wild animals — a male lion, a lioness, a sun bear and two Asiatic black bears — were rescued from a casino that Thai forces say served as a Cambodian military stronghold and was captured by Thai marines. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation told The Associated Press the animals were sedated and moved to wildlife breeding centers in Thailand. The lion and lioness arrived at their new facilities by Christmas and were named "Christmas" and "Merry."
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Sopheng Cheang contributed from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
