The longstanding border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated into widespread military confrontation, resulting in significant civilian casualties and mass displacement. As of Tuesday, December 10, 2025, the death toll has risen to ten with over 140,000 civilians forced to evacuate their homes amid intensifying hostilities.
Military engagements have expanded beyond initial conflict zones, with Thailand deploying airstrikes and tank units against Cambodian positions. The fighting has now reached historically sensitive areas including the vicinity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Preah Vihear Temple, raising international concerns about potential damage to cultural heritage.
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen confirmed his nation’s military response after previously exercising restraint for two days. Phnom Penh authorities report seven civilian fatalities and approximately twenty injuries since hostilities reignited on Sunday. Thai military officials acknowledge three soldier casualties, including one killed by indirect fire in Surin Province and another by grenade near the Preah Vihear temple complex.
Humanitarian crisis intensifies as nearly 500 temporary shelters have been established across border provinces, accommodating more than 125,000 displaced persons. Civilian testimonies reveal the trauma of repeated displacements, with some residents experiencing their fourth evacuation this year due to persistent border tensions.
The conflict’s expansion into coastal regions adds another dimension to the crisis. Thai naval spokesperson Parat Rattanachaiphan accused Cambodian forces of establishing military installations in disputed coastal territories of Trat Province and deploying unmanned drones to provoke Thai units, prompting what Thailand describes as defensive military operations.
The current violence represents the most significant escalation in the century-old border dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbors, with diplomatic solutions remaining elusive as military actions continue to intensify.