Cambodia Bans Civilian Drones in Border Provinces as Thai Attacks Escalate

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 10, 2025) — Cambodia’s Interior Ministry has imposed a sweeping ban on civilian drone flights in provinces bordering Thailand, citing urgent national security concerns as cross border attacks intensify.

The directive, signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha, follows what Cambodian officials describe as Thai military strikes beginning Dec. 7, including artillery fire, airstrikes and toxic smoke assaults that caused civilian deaths, injuries and widespread damage to property and cultural sites.

Under the order, local authorities must immediately halt unauthorized drone operations, warning that drones could expose sensitive military movements and jeopardize national defense. The ban will remain in place until border conditions stabilize.

The ministry also instructed provincial governors to evacuate high risk communities, provide humanitarian support to displaced families, secure abandoned villages against looting and prevent the spread of military images online. Officials were further ordered to deploy round the clock armed patrols and document Thai military actions for reporting to the national level.

Sokha said the measures are essential to protect civilian lives and defend Cambodia’s sovereignty amid what Phnom Penh describes as ongoing Thai aggression.