Escalating Conflict Forces Mass Exodus at Thai-Cambodia Border

Mon Dec 08 2025 16:36:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Intensifying clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have resulted in the evacuation of thousands from the border region amid accusations from both sides regarding the outbreak of violence. The conflict has already claimed multiple lives, raising concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The Thai-Cambodia border is witnessing a swift exodus of residents as violent clashes break out, resulting in at least five fatalities. Both Thailand and Cambodia are blaming each other for initiating hostilities, which has escalated tensions significantly since a previous ceasefire agreement. Amid this turmoil, children have been severely affected, with hundreds of schools shuttered for safety. The conflict, rooted in a century-old territorial dispute, shows no signs of resolution, sparking fears for the future of the communities caught in the crossfire.

Residents on both sides of Thailand's and Cambodia's border evacuated in droves on Monday as fresh clashes erupted, killing at least five people.

Both sides have each accused the other of starting the violence, which is the most serious confrontation between the two countries since they agreed to a ceasefire in July.

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says his country never wanted violence but will use necessary means to preserve its sovereignty, while Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen accused Thai invaders of provoking retaliation.

Since May, escalating tensions between the neighbours have led to more than 40 deaths, as well as import bans and travel restrictions.

On Monday, the Thai army said its troops had responded to Cambodian fire in Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province, including by launching air strikes along the disputed border; while Phnom Penh's defence ministry said it was the Thai forces that attacked first, in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.

At least one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians have been killed, and about a dozen wounded as a result of Monday's fighting, according to officials on either side.

Nearly 650 schools across five Thai provinces have been ordered to shut for safety reasons, following the fresh tensions that have simmered since Sunday.

The century-old border dispute between the Southeast Asian nations dramatically escalated with a Cambodian rocket barrage into Thailand on the morning of 24 July, followed by Thai air strikes.

Both nations have been contesting territorial sovereignty along their 800km land border for more than a century, since the borders were drawn after French occupation in Cambodia.

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