Airstrikes Rock Thai-Cambodia Border After Ceasefire Collapse

BANGKOK:  The simmering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has exploded into the most serious fighting since July, completely derailing a fragile ceasefire deal backed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysia.

The conflict, which saw Thailand launch multiple airstrikes and Cambodia reportedly deploy sophisticated weaponry, has resulted in at least three Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians killed since clashes intensified on Monday. Both nations blame the other for initiating the violence.

The current crisis follows a short-lived diplomatic victory orchestrated by President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Their efforts led to a cessation of fighting in July and the subsequent signing of a peace accord in October. However, that agreement never took firm root:

Thailand suspended the deal, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul citing that the “security threat… has not actually decreased.”

Fighting resumed, with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stating the ceasefire was “not working” and placing the responsibility with Phnom Penh.

Trump has reportedly called on both sides to respect the October agreement, which mandated the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the establishment of an interim observer team in the disputed region.

The two militaries have offered sharply conflicting accounts of the December escalation

The Thai army states its troops responded to Cambodian fire in Ubon Ratchathani Province, which killed a Thai soldier. They retaliated with air strikes on military targets. By the next day, Thai forces accused Cambodia of deploying high-tech weaponry, including multiple-launch rocket systems, bomb-dropping drones, and kamikaze drones—some of which reportedly struck civilian areas.

Phnom Penh’s defence ministry insisted Thai forces attacked first in Preah Vihear province. Cambodia accused Thailand of firing indiscriminately into civilian areas in Pursat Province, though former prime minister Hun Sen claimed Cambodian forces only returned fire late on Monday to “respect the ceasefire.”

The current confrontation is widely viewed as lacking the political leadership required to easily pull back, casting severe doubt on where the volatile border conflict will lead next.