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After months of relative calm, fighting has resumed between Thailand and Cambodia
At the end of July 2025, a ceasefire was brokered by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump between the belligerent nations, long embroiled in a decades-long conflict.
However, as of Monday, 8 December 2025, the conflict has reignited.
Hundreds of thousands have now been displaced from both countries, particularly in disputed regions like Preah Vihear province.
Al-Jazeera reported that Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence said that nine civilians, including a baby, were killed and 20 injured in clashes, while Thailand's military reported four soldiers killed and 68 injured.
Clashes resumed on Monday after both sides blamed each other for firing the first shots in Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province, which borders Cambodia
The Thai military claimed that Cambodian troops fired first and Thai soldiers were retaliating, a claim Cambodia disputes.
Cambodia maintains that Thai soldiers fired first after days of provocative actions, and that Cambodian forces had not retaliated.
After a Thai soldier was allegedly killed, Thailand responded with a wave of airstrikes that killed at least four Cambodian civilians, according to Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra.
As fighting erupted along the disputed regions, with both sides exchanging artillery fire, the Thai military said three civilians had been killed, marking Thailand's first civilian deaths since hostilities resumed, according to The Independent.
Cambodia's Interior Ministry said homes, schools, pagodas, and ancient temples were damaged by artillery and Thai F-16 airstrikes targeting civilian areas up to 30km inside Cambodia borders.
Thailand has denied intentionally targeting civilians.
Displaced Cambodian refugees eating breakfast at a temporary camp.
Image via Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP
Thai civilians taking refuge at an evacuee shelter.
Image via Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFPThai troops have reportedly been moving towards the Cambodian town of Boeung Trakoun, where two military installations were allegedly captured in July.
On 11 November, the Thai military suspended the ceasefire after four Thai soldiers were wounded in a land mine explosion.
Cambodia denied responsibility for the explosion. Both countries had been expected to collaborate in clearing mines from the disputed regions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been holding diplomatic talks between the two countries to ease tensions
US President Donald Trump, who claimed credit for brokering the ceasefire agreement in July, said he would make a phone call to stop the fighting.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a televised statement that while Thailand did not wish for violence, it was necessary to "safeguard Thailand's sovereignty and independence".
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen likewise said Cambodia wants peace, but the country "must strike to protect its territory".
According to the New Straits Times, Anwar said that while no definitive resolution has been reached, sustained diplomacy has prevented the situation from escalating further, and he appreciated the willingness of both nations' leaders to continue negotiations.
"We urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint, maintain open channels of communication and make full use of the mechanisms in place," he wrote on X.
"Our region cannot afford to see long-standing disputes slip into cycles of confrontation. The immediate priority is to halt the fighting, safeguard civilians, and return to a diplomatic path supported by international law and the neighbourly spirit on which ASEAN depends."
Displaced Cambodian civilians fleeing the conflict zone.
Image via Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP