Escalation of Conflict: Thailand Bombs Near Cambodia's Poipet Border

Thu Dec 18 2025 18:53:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Thailand has carried out bombings near the Poipet border crossing with Cambodia, intensifying humanitarian concerns.

Thailand has conducted airstrikes near Poipet, Cambodia, targeting what officials describe as a logistics center for rocket systems, amidst a backdrop of renewed border clashes. The latest fighting has resulted in at least 21 deaths in Thailand and 17 in Cambodia, leading to a humanitarian crisis with approximately 800,000 people displaced. The conflict marks a serious escalation of a long-standing border dispute between the two nations and has prompted concerns over civilian safety and international diplomatic efforts.

Thailand says it has bombed a logistics centre near the Cambodian town of Poipet, known for being a major casino hub and the biggest land crossing between the two countries.

The bombings come as renewed border clashes show no sign of abating.

Cambodia's defence ministry said Thai forces dropped two bombs, while the Thai side said that they targeted a facility storing rocket systems.

The renewed fighting this month has killed at least 21 people in Thailand and 17 in Cambodia, while displacing around 800,000, officials say.

In a statement, the Cambodian defence ministry said Thai forces dropped two bombs in the area of Poipet municipality at around 11:00 am (0400 GMT) Thursday.

Shortly after, Thai Air Force spokesman Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai said that the Thai military had attacked the centre outside Poipet that had been used to store BM-21 rockets and that no civilians were harmed.

BM-21 rockets are weapons that are typically fired in volleys from the back of an armoured vehicle.

The bombings appear to be the first on Poipet, which is known for casinos popular with Thai gamblers and its international border checkpoint.

On Tuesday, Thailand said between 5,000 and 6,000 Thai nationals remained stranded in Poipet after Cambodia closed its land border crossings between the two countries.

Cambodia's interior ministry said the border closures were a necessary measure to reduce risks to civilians, adding that air travel remained an option for those seeking to leave.

The century-old border dispute between the South East Asian neighbours dramatically escalated on 24 July with a Cambodian rocket barrage into Thailand, followed by Thai air strikes, resulting in five days of intense fighting.

Despite an immediate and unconditional ceasefire brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump, hostilities have reignited with both sides blaming each other for the renewed violence.

Earlier this week, Cambodia accused Thai forces of bombing Siem Reap province, home to the ancient Angkor temples - Cambodia's top tourist draw.