Cambodian Ministry of National Defence has reported renewed Thai military attacks along the border throughout the morning of Dec. 8, and reaffirmed Cambodian forces’ restraint and continued compliance with the ceasefire agreement and the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Declaration on Peace Deal.
At a press briefing here this morning, H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Under Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence said that beginning at approximately 05:04 a.m., Thai forces launched a new series of assaults targeting Cambodian troops in multiple locations, including An Ses, Tamone Thom Temple, Preah Vihear Temple area, 5 Makara, Chamkar Chek, Mom Bei, Phnom Khmoach, Kaul 8, Ta Krabei Temple, and Khnar Temple. This followed an earlier attack on Cambodian forces at 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 7.
The Ministry provided a detailed timeline of Thai military actions:
04:00 a.m. – Two Thai heavy trucks transported troops from Phnom Roeung toward the front line at An Ses.
05:04 a.m. – Thai forces fired 20–25 rifle rounds from the west of An Ses market.
05:19 a.m. – Thai forces fired an additional 30–38 rifle rounds from the west of An Ses market.
05:25 a.m. – Another attack involved 100–120 rounds of rifle and machine-gun fire from the west of An Ses market.
05:40 a.m. – Thai firing paused; Cambodian side continued close monitoring in high alert.
06:13 a.m. – Thailand resumed attacks using MT60 mortar rounds (3 shots).
06:22 a.m. – Continued mortar fire (4 rounds) and automatic weapons aimed at Cambodian positions in An Ses.
06:51 a.m. – Thai tanks advanced to attack the Tamone Temple area.
07:40 a.m. – Heavy attacks targeted Mom Bei, An Ses, Phnom Khmoach, Kaul 8, Preah Vihear Temple, Tamone Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, and Khnar Temple, using 155mm artillery, tanks, and multiple mortar types.
08:10 a.m. – Chemical smoke was fired by Thai forces into Phnom Khmoach area.
08:14 a.m. – Additional chemical smoke fired near Preah Vihear Temple.
08:41 a.m. – Continued firing and shelling at Damnak Sdech, Banloh Thmar Daun, and Tamone Temple. Thai military aircraft were observed flying along the border.
09:05 a.m. – Thai F-16 fighter jets conducted an airstrike in Sra-em commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province.
09:30 a.m. – Continued attacks in Khnar Temple and O’Smach area with 12.7mm weapons and tank fire.
10:00 a.m. – Intensified assaults with mortars, artillery, and heavy armored weaponry around An Ses and Preah Vihear Temple areas.
As of 11:00 a.m., Thai forces were still firing into positions held by Cambodian forces and civilian areas inside Cambodia.
The spokesperson stressed that Thai military actions have expanded into civilian zones in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, injuring civilians and destroying multiple homes. Many families, including children and the elderly, were forced to evacuate to safe areas. Provincial authorities have assisted in emergency evacuations and support for displaced residents.
It should be noted that these latest attacks occurred after the Thai forces engaged in numerous provocative actions for many days. The Ministry noted that Thailand has also been releasing false information through official and unofficial channels, attempting to distort facts and shift blame onto Cambodia, which the Ministry says is intended to provoke military escalation.
Despite ongoing attacks, Cambodian troops have not returned fire, adhering strictly to the ceasefire obligations and the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Declaration on Peace Deal, as well as all agreed principles between both sides. Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, responsibly, and in full accordance with international law.
