BANGKOK / PHNOM PENH – Fresh and intense clashes have once again ignited along the long-disputed Thailand–Cambodia border, spreading across multiple points of the frontier and raising alarms of a wider regional conflict.
According to Thai military officials, Cambodian forces were spotted inside Thai territory in the coastal province of Trat, triggering a strong response as Thai troops moved to push them back. In a swift escalation, Thailand’s air force reportedly carried out air-strikes targeting Cambodian military positions across the contested area.
The violence has already taken a deadly toll. Cambodia has reported multiple civilian casualties overnight, bringing its total death count to several people, while Thailand confirmed the death of at least one soldier in the renewed hostilities. Scores of border villagers on both sides have been forced to flee their homes, seeking safety as fighting intensifies.
This latest flare-up marks the most serious confrontation since mid-2025, when heavy exchanges of fire left dozens dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. With both governments trading accusations and showing little willingness to retreat, concerns are rising that the situation could spiral further.
Humanitarian agencies are urging calm as evacuations continue in vulnerable border communities. Regional and global observers are calling for urgent dialogue, warning that the fragile peace established earlier this year is now at serious risk.
As tensions climb and military activity spreads, the coming days will likely determine whether diplomacy can regain control — or whether Southeast Asia will witness another prolonged and destabilizing conflict.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.