Thailand Launches Airstrikes as Border Conflict with Cambodia Re-Ignites

Thailand conducted military airstrikes against Cambodia on Monday. The attack targeted positions along the countries’ long-disputed border. This major escalation shatters a U.S.-brokered ceasefire from last October.

The renewed combat has caused fresh civilian casualties and mass displacement. Officials confirm at least one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians have been killed. According to the Associated Press, tens of thousands of residents have fled their homes near the volatile frontier.

Ceasefire Collapses After Months of Tension

The brief peace was strained in early November. Thai troops were injured by landmines in the contested area. Thailand then suspended its participation in the truce agreement.

Both nations blame each other for starting the latest fight. The Thai army states Cambodian forces fired first into Thai territory. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry insists Thailand attacked first and that Cambodia did not retaliate initially. This exchange followed a shorter bout of fighting on Sunday.

Deep Historical Enmity Fuels Modern Clash

The current battle is rooted in centuries of rivalry. The core issue is a border demarcation based on a 1907 map from Cambodia’s colonial period. Thailand has long considered this map inaccurate.

A 1962 world court ruling awarded a key temple site to Cambodia. That decision still causes resentment in Thailand. The recent ceasefire did not address this fundamental border dispute. It only paused the active fighting.

The situation remains highly volatile. Regional leaders like Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim have called for immediate restraint. The stability of Southeast Asia is now under renewed threat from this old conflict.

The resumption of major Thailand Cambodia border clashes marks a dangerous failure of diplomacy. It exposes the fragile nature of the earlier truce and poses a severe test for regional peace efforts.

Thought you’d like to know-

What started the latest fighting between Thailand and Cambodia?

The immediate trigger was an exchange of fire on Sunday. Each country accuses the other of firing first. Thailand cited this as justification for its retaliatory airstrikes on Monday.

How many people have been killed or displaced?

Officials report at least five deaths. One Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians have been killed. More than 50,000 people have fled their homes near the border for safety.

What was the 2025 ceasefire agreement?

It was a truce pushed by the U.S. in October to halt five days of deadly combat in July. The agreement stopped the fighting but did not resolve the underlying border dispute, leaving tensions high.

What is the historical cause of this conflict?

The dispute stems from a border map drawn in 1907. Thailand contests its accuracy. The conflict also involves national pride over the Preah Vihear temple, awarded to Cambodia by the World Court in 1962.

Has the international community reacted?

Malaysia’s Prime Minister has publicly called for restraint. The broader ASEAN region is concerned, but there has been no immediate unified international response to Monday’s significant escalation.