Summary of the Press Briefing on the Briefing for Diplomatic Corps and International Organisations on the Thailand - Cambodia border situation on 8 December 2025

Summary of the Press Briefing on the Briefing for Diplomatic Corps and International Organisations on the Thailand - Cambodia border situation by the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson on 8 December 2025 at 17:30 hrs.

 - Following the clashes in several areas along the Thailand - Cambodia border since yesterday (7 December 2025), H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave a briefing for the diplomatic corps and international organisations, to update them on the latest developments of the situation. In attendance were ambassadors or representatives from 58 countries one organization and two international organizations, totalling 73 participants.
- The Foreign Minister reiterated five key points:
(1) This current situation once again shows Cambodia's repeated tactics of violating Thailand’s territorial integrity and then denying its own actions, including continued provocations such as the planting of new landmines. Cambodia attempts to portray an image of peace and restraint, but does the opposite, including inciting public sentiment and encroaching on Thai territory. 
(2) The Thai Government's objective is to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Therefore, Thailand’s military actions will continue until such an objective is achieved. Therefore, Thailand’s military actions will continue until such an objective is achieved.
(3)   Thai people have endured, time and again, threats to their safety and security. Cambodia’s actions have consistently denied the Thai people their dignity. Thailand’s military actions will continue until its sovereignty and territorial integrity are not compromised. Thailand’s priority is to protect its own sovereignty and territorial integrity.
(4)   Thailand's position, including military actions, will continue until Cambodia changes its stance and pursues the path of peace.
(5)   Cambodia is the one trampling on the ceasefire agreement and the Joint Declaration jointly signed in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025.

 1. The clashes along the Thailand - Cambodia border

 - The Foreign Minister provided a timeline of the incidents – 14 times in total, in factual detail.

 - Yesterday (7 December 2025), the Cambodian forces opened fire into Thai territory in the Phu Pha Lek - Phlan Hin Paet Kon area, Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province. The incident led to two Thai soldiers being wounded. The Thai side has lodged a protest to the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) to clarify the facts surrounding the said incident.

 - Early today (8 December 2025), further clashes occurred in multiple areas, with Cambodian troops continuing to fire into Thai territory. There are also reports that Cambodia has moved long-range weaponry into the border areas. One Thai soldier lost his life and eight have been wounded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses our deepest condolences for these losses and extends our support to those recovering from their wounds.

 - The Foreign Minister shared another alarming development, which is based on the latest reports that the Cambodian side has fired rockets from BM-21 multi-rocket launchers into civilian areas in Thailand. Some international media outlets have reported that Thailand has launched air strikes into Cambodia. Thailand had to launch the air strike because its terrain is full of landmines. Thailand's military operations are carried out in self-defense, as Cambodia had attacked first. The air strike is also strictly in accordance with international law, especially Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Rules of Engagement, and in compliance with the principles of necessity.

 - Given the gravity of the situation and to prevent Cambodia from escalating the violence and risking further severe losses, it is necessary for Thailand to respond based on the aforementioned principles. All operations by Thai forces are limited to military targets with utmost consideration in order that civilians are not affected.

 - The Foreign Minister reiterated that Thailand’s actions are undertaken (1) in response to the attacks and in self-defense, (2) in full compliance with the Rules of Engagement and international law, and (3) exclusively directed at military targets.

 - Thailand, therefore, strongly condemns Cambodia’s acts of opening fire into Thai territory. The clashes have resulted in the deaths and injuries of several Thai soldiers and pose a direct threat to the safety and security of innocent civilians.

 - After the numerous incidents involving new landmines laid by Cambodia, which the Foreign Minister himself clarified at the 22nd States Parties Meeting of the Ottawa Convention in Geneva on 5 December 2025, which resulted in multiple Thai casualties, these actions constitute a clear and continued violation of all commitments previously agreed upon by both sides, including the ceasefire agreement and the Joint Declaration. These also clearly reflect Cambodia’s lack of sincerity in peacefully resolving tensions with Thailand.

2. The impacts of the clashes on civilians

 - The current attacks carried out by the Cambodian side have severely affected innocent civilians. Civilians in four border provinces - Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani – almost 400,000 people in total – have had to evacuate to temporary shelters for safety. Thailand does not wish to see more lives lost beyond those caused by Cambodia’s attacks, which have targeted civilians recently.

 - The ongoing clashes have also forced many schools – over 600 in five provinces – and hospitals along the border to temporarily close. This directly affects Thai people’s well-being, fundamental rights, and access to essential public services.

3. Cambodia’s dissemination of false and distorted information

 - The Foreign Minister stressed how Cambodia continues to evade responsibility for its actions through its repeated release of false and baseless information and accusations.

 - Thailand has seen, time and again, Cambodia’s politically motivated, provocative, and deliberate fabrication of scenarios. This is a recurring pattern Cambodia has consistently employed. This is particularly evident this time around in their attempt to deflect attention from the landmine incidents on Thai territory. The latest clashes occurred merely days after Thailand’s statement at the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban (Ottawa Convention) in Geneva, where Thailand exposed Cambodia’s violations through repeated landmine placements within the Thai territory.

 - Cambodia has persistently portrayed itself as the victim and the side that is under threat, but always fails to answer to the international community’s observations regarding its own violations, which are documented. Cambodia continues to provoke the Thai side, necessitating Thailand’s response to protect Thai people’s lives and defend its sovereignty.

 - Examples of Cambodia’s dissemination of distorted information are (1) Cambodia’s use of footage falsely claiming that Thai defensive actions caused Cambodian schoolchildren to flee in panic, even though an evacuation of residents from the area had occurred earlier; and (2) The fact that several Cambodian agencies have, along the same lines, immediately disseminated false information alleging that Thailand initiated the latest attacks and claiming that Cambodia was compelled to respond in self-defence.

Further steps

 - Following today’s diplomatic briefing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with the Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand and the U.S. Charge d'Affaires to Thailand, as the witness countries to the signing of the Joint Declaration. The Ministry has also issued a protest note to Cambodia, circulated a diplomatic note to ASEAN Member States, sent a note to the UN Secretary-General, and written to the President of the UN Security Council to clarify the incident.

 - All Thai agencies will work with full dedication to duty and in unity, to defend Thailand’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and ensure the safety of the Thai people.

 - Given the volatile situation and Cambodia’s systematic and ongoing disinformation campaign, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges the public to follow news and information from official channels - whether from the Government, the military, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The media is also urged to present the facts in their entirety, rather than picking and choosing what would attract attention in headlines that risk inaccurate reporting.

 - The Ministry will continue to provide press briefings on the situation to ensure that everyone receives verified, accurate, and timely information.

https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/summary-press-briefing-8dec25