Cambodia Urges Thailand to Halt ‘Indiscriminate Attacks’ as Border Clashes Intensify

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 12, 2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence on Thursday urged Thailand to halt what it called “indiscriminate and directionless” attacks on civilian areas as clashes along the border escalated.

Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai armed forces of launching coordinated assaults across multiple border locations on Dec. 12, targeting both Cambodian military positions and civilian communities.

Fighting in Military Region 5 was reported between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., with Cambodian officials alleging Thai infantry units supported by tanks entered the Prey Chan area and deployed reconnaissance and bomb-equipped drones throughout the morning.

Socheata further claimed Thai forces used toxic gas in Prey Chan and Chok Chey villages, an allegation not independently verified and to which Thailand has not publicly responded.

In Military Region 4, Cambodian officials said Thai forces began attacks at 7:40 a.m. around Chob Angkounh, Thma Chat and Ta Krabei temple. The ministry reported heavy artillery fire, drone strikes and what it described as chemical agents used across a wide area, including near the Preah Vihear temple complex.

Explosive devices were also allegedly dropped by drone shortly after midday.
Socheata said Bangkok must “immediately cease all aggressive actions” and stop spreading misinformation aimed at shifting responsibility for the fighting.

The ministry accused Thai forces of damaging historical and cultural sites.

“Peace cannot come only through words, but through concrete actions,” the statement said, urging Thailand to respect ceasefire commitments and withdraw troops from what Cambodia considers its territory.

Cambodia appealed to the international community to condemn what it called violations of the Joint Declaration and “unlawful activities,” alleging repeated breaches of international law. Officials said Thailand must act “in good faith” to prevent further destabilization along the border.