The conventional war between Thailand and Cambodia entered its fifth day on Friday, December 12, 2025, with no signs of de-escalation as intense fighting, marked by heavy shelling and ground engagements, continued across multiple sectors of the shared border. Cambodia is accusing Thai forces of carrying out new attacks in the early hours of Friday morning, while Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed a planned intervention from the White House.
Morning Attacks and Propaganda War
The morning of Day 5 brought reports of fresh attacks, demonstrating the determination of the Thai military to maintain the offensive that began with the ground invasion earlier this week.
* Targeted Shelling: Cambodian news outlets reported that Thai forces opened fire in the Ta Moan, Ta Kra Bei, and Thmar Daun areas of Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province. Thai shelling was also reported in the Phnom Khaing and An Ses areas of Preah Vihear province. Cambodian officials stated that the attacks are persisting despite the recent dissolution of the Thai Parliament.
* Disinformation Campaign: Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence formally issued a statement vehemently rejecting Thai military propaganda. The ministry specifically rejected claims disseminated by the Thai 2nd Army Area that Cambodia was allegedly using foreigners to help launch First Person View (FPV) drones in the conflict. The ministry also refuted Thai media claims that it was preparing to launch Chinese-made PHL-03 missiles, a large Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MRLS) with a range of up to 130 km. Cambodia is demanding that Thailand stop spreading “false news” to “divert attention to its violations of international law”.
Escalating Humanitarian and Diplomatic Crisis
The sustained combat has cemented this as the deadliest fighting since the July 2025 conflict, forcing a major international response.
* High Casualty Toll: As of the latest reports, at least 20 people have been killed, and almost 200 injured, since the clashes reignited on Sunday. This includes nine Thai soldiers and three Thai civilians, alongside a reported 10 to 11 Cambodian civilian deaths.
* Mass Displacement: The fighting has displaced an alarming number of civilians, with more than half a million people now sheltering in evacuation centers across the border region. Over 400,000 civilians have been evacuated in Thailand.
* Education Disruption: The number of schools closed in Cambodia has risen sharply to 909 across six provinces, affecting over 216,100 students.
Trump Intervention and Political Instability
The resumption of hostilities has forced the attention of the US President back onto the region.
* Presidential Call: Thai caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that he is scheduled to speak with US President Donald Trump, who previously brokered the failed ceasefire in October. Trump had vowed to intervene again to stop the fighting.
* Thai Parliament Dissolution: Compounding the crisis, the Thai King issued a royal gazette on Friday morning announcing the dissolution of the Thai parliament. This move, which paves the way for a general election to be held within the next 45 to 60 days, adds a layer of domestic political instability to the ongoing military conflict.
Cambodia has formally asked the UN Security Council to take urgent action over what it describes as a series of “unprovoked and escalating armed attacks” by Thai forces, elevating the dispute from a bilateral conflict to an international security issue.
Ukrainian FPV Drone Strike Devastates Russian Military Bikers in Brutal Hit (21+)
Ukrainian FPV drone wipes out Russian bikers in brutal front-line strike; drone and GoPro footage confirm precision hit.
