Cambodia Condemns Thailand of Naval, Aerial Strikes in Border Escalation

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 13, 2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense accused Thai armed forces of launching coordinated naval and aerial attacks along the border early Saturday, striking villages, hotels and infrastructure in Koh Kong and Pursat provinces.

Officials said the Thai navy fired 20 artillery shells from a vessel into Koh Kong at 2 a.m., hitting the entrance to Koh Yor Beach, Bak Klong Pagoda and two hotel buildings before other rounds fell into the sea. The ministry reported calm until 8 a.m., when further attacks resumed.

Cambodian authorities said shelling began in Chouk Chey village at 1:34 a.m., followed by strikes in Prey Chan village at 1:45 a.m. and heavy artillery in Thmar Da commune at 2:56 a.m. By dawn, hotel buildings in Thmar Da were hit at 5:50 and 5:55 a.m.,

and minutes later F‑16 fighter jets dropped seven bombs in Thmar Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province. Between 6:02 and 6:12 a.m., artillery struck Chey Chumneas Bridge, including the old bridge, before shelling continued in Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages through 8 a.m.

Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, demanded Thailand halt “indiscriminate attacks on civilians and infrastructure” and stop spreading false information. “Peace can only come through concrete actions, not words,” she said.

The ministry urged the international community to condemn Thailand’s alleged violations of the Oct. 26 ceasefire agreement and Joint Declaration, signed in Kuala Lumpur and witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to international law and peaceful dispute resolution, while vowing to defend its territorial integrity.