.png%3F2025-12-16T08%253A00%253A30.986Z&w=3840&q=100)
With tank shells, machine guns B40, and 60mm mortars from Thai forces hitting Preah Vihear Province on 7 and 8 December 2025, Cambodian families living along the border have once again been forced to leave everything behind.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, on 7 December 2025, between 14:15 and 14:32, Thai military forces opened fire on Cambodian forces stationed in the Prorlean Thmar area, Choam Ksan District, Preah Vihear Province. Despite this, Cambodian forces did not retaliate. Instead of acknowledging their own actions, the Thai side later attempted to reverse the narrative, falsely accusing Cambodia of opening fire first, an act that clearly undermines their credibility and commitment to peace.
The escalation continued that same evening. At around 20:02, Thai forces again launched an attack by firing small arms in front of the Cambodian front line in O’ Phka Sneh area. Then, at approximately 20:30, they resumed firing toward Cambodian forces at Prorlean Thmar, the same location as the earlier afternoon attack, this time using both small arms and mortars. This assault only ceased at around 20:50. Throughout all these incidents on 7 December, Cambodia maintained its restraint and DID NOT RETURN FIRE EVEN ONCE.
Rather than stopping there, Thai military actions continued into the next day. On the morning of 8 December 2025, at around 05:04, Thai forces launched yet another attack against Cambodian forces in An Ses area, Preah Vihear Province.
Following this, they fired multiple TANKS rounds toward Cambodian territory in several locations: Tamone Thom temple, 5 Makara in the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple, and Chomka Chek area. The deliberate use of TANKS, combined with repeated small-arms and mortar fire over two consecutive days, clearly reflects a pattern of AGGRESSION and raises military tensions along the border.
In contrast to Thailand’s pattern of armed attacks and reverse narration, Cambodia’s response has been CONSISTENTLY MEASURED, LEGAL, and PROFESSIONAL. During each assault, on the afternoon and evening of 7 December and the early morning of 8 December, Cambodian forces did not retaliate, choosing instead to call on Thailand to stop firing and to work through established mechanisms. Cambodia has already informed the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) multiple times and intends to request a formal AOT investigation to ensure transparency, justice, and impartiality. This is what a responsible approach to border disputes looks like: upholding the Ceasefire Agreement, the Joint Declaration, and obligations under international law, rather than using military power to intimidate neighbours or force them into armed conflict.