The Royal Thai Air Force conducted multiple airstrikes against Cambodia on December 24, 2025, killing nine civilians and wounding twenty more in a dramatic escalation of the border conflict between the two Southeast Asian nations. The Thai military confirmed that three of its soldiers were killed and 29 more wounded during subsequent ground clashes with Cambodian forces near disputed territory.
The conflict, which has been simmering for months, has now claimed approximately 60 lives and displaced more than half a million people since a joint peace declaration was signed by both countries in October. That agreement, brokered with international assistance, was meant to establish a ceasefire and create a framework for peaceful resolution of long-standing territorial disputes along the shared border.
China has stepped in to mediate the escalating crisis, with Foreign Ministry Special Envoy Deng Xijun completing a six-day shuttle diplomacy mission to both Bangkok and Phnom Penh this week. Beijing has reaffirmed its willingness to create conditions and provide a platform for dialogue between the two nations, marking China's latest effort to establish itself as a regional peacemaker in Southeast Asia.
The strikes targeted areas near the disputed Preah Vihear temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been a source of tension between the neighbors for decades. Both countries claim sovereignty over territory surrounding the ancient Hindu temple, and previous flare-ups have resulted in military casualties and diplomatic crises.
International observers have expressed deep concern about the potential for further escalation, with ASEAN member states calling for an immediate ceasefire and return to negotiations. The United Nations Secretary-General issued a statement urging both parties to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilian lives.
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