Press Briefing – Update on the Cambodia–Thailand border situation following the Thai army’s attack on Cambodian armed forces and civilians – 8:30 PM, 20 December 2025
Intervention by H.E. Maly Socheata, Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson
Thanks to the general public and members of the press.
This morning, I would like to update on the situation of the Thai invasion and armed attack launched on Cambodian territory in the 4th and 5th military regions on December 18, 2025, which entered the 12th day. The Thai side has continuously violated the ceasefire and the joint declaration signed by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand on October 26, 2025.
Now I would like to update on the situation of the Thai aggression and attack on certain areas within the sovereign territory of Cambodia.
First, the frontline situation at the 4th military region, UddorMeanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. The Thai military continued its attack on Cambodia from 5 p.m. on December 17 to 8 a.m. on December 18, 2025.
On December 17, 2025, at 5.30 p.m., the Thai military fired artillery shells into the area of Chup Koki. At 5.47 p.m., the Thai military advanced their tanks and fired artillery into the area of Vean Intri, Phnom Khmouch, and Bos Bou Choam Te. The heavy weapons that the Thai military used during their aggressive operations against Cambodia yesterday, on December 17, 2025, from 4.45 a.m., included DK machine guns, 100 mm tank-mounted guns, 105 mm mortars, 155 mm artillery, and other supporting weapons, drone-carried toxic gas, drone-dropping flames, kamikaze drones, drone-carried guns, and tanks. On December 18, 2025, at 5.30 a.m., the Thai military fired artillery shells into the area of Ta Moan Temple. Until now, they launched their attack into the area of Preah Vihear Temple, 5 Makara, and Chamka Chek by using tanks. The situation in the area remained calm, but our force continued to monitor closely and remained highly vigilant.
Second, the frontline situation at 5 military regions, Banteay Meanchey and Pursat provinces. The Thai military continued its attacks on Cambodia from 5 p.m. on December 17 to 8 a.m. on December 18, 2025. On December 17, 2025, at 5.37 p.m., the Thai military deployed reconnaissance drones that violated Cambodian airspace in the area behind Chok Chey and Prey Chan village. At 11.10 p.m., the Thai military fired artillery shells into the civilian area of Chamka Kor village, Svay Chek commune, Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province. On December 18, 2025, from 1.10 a.m. to 6.44 a.m., the Thai military deployed reconnaissance drones and fired artillery shells into the area of ’O’pluk Domrey. The situation in other areas remained calm, but our force continued to monitor closely and remained highly vigilant.
The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia wishes to reiterate that Cambodia’s right to self-defence is solely targeted at the Thai military targets and has never targeted civilian areas. Conversely, the Thai side has deliberately attacked locations where Cambodian civilians reside, resulting in many deaths and injuries to innocent Cambodian civilians. Thailand’s use of all types of heavy and destructive weapons and equipment, including F-16 fighter jets, DKI-2 bombing drones, cluster bombs, and toxic gas, and the deployment of the large number of troops to encroach on Cambodian territory, is clear and irrefutable proof of Thailand’s violation of the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the basic principles of international law.
Such irresponsible and illegal actions undoubtedly pose grave dangers not only to regional peace and stability but also to the very foundation of international order. In this sense, Cambodia calls on the international community to strongly condemn Thailand’s violation of the Joint Declaration and its repeated war crimes and unlawful activities, as well as demand that Thailand must take full responsibility for such brazen violations.
Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities and withdraw its force from Cambodia’s territorial integrity and avoid acts of incursion and aggression that threaten peace and stability in the region as a whole.
It is also important to stress that, as of now, the heroic Cambodian Army and National Police Force will continue to be strong, brave, and steadfast in their fight against the aggressor and already remain vigilant to exercise our right to self-defenceas enshrined in international legal instruments in the fulfilment of their duty to defend and protect at all costs the Cambodian territorial integrity and people.
For further update reports regarding the frontline situation, please visit the official media channels of the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia.
