Thai Army: One Soldier Killed
BANGKOK, Dec 8 (TNA) - The Thai Army reported Monday that one soldier was killed and eight wounded in escalating border clashes with Cambodia, prompting the deployment of F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian long-range firing positions.
Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree, Army spokesman, confirmed the fatalities and said counter-fire remains strictly targeted at military objectives and adheres to rules of engagement.
He stated that the air strikes were necessary after continuous Cambodian shelling caused Thai casualties, noting the attacks targeted a casino building identified as a drone command center.
The spokesman warned that Cambodia appears prepared for further escalation, with forces targeting coordinates up to 30 kilometers inland, including areas near Buriram Airport and a hospital.
One BM-21 rocket landed in an agricultural area earlier today, causing no casualties.
Intense fighting broke out across multiple zones, including Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani, where the casualties occurred, as well as new fronts in Surin and Si Sa Ket.
Winthai cited the need to prioritize destroying Cambodian supporting fire weapons, such as BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, which have the potential to inflict high civilian casualties.
He confirmed that a mass evacuation of border residents had been successfully completed prior to the latest escalation.
Cambodia Condemns Thai Attacks
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman of the Defence Ministry of Cambodia, condemned Thailand for military attacks on Cambodia.
She said in a press conference Monday morning that, she claimed that around 05:04 a.m. the Thai military forces launched an attack on the Cambodian forces in An Ses area, Preah Vihear province and subsequently firing multiple shots with tanks at Tamone Thom temple, 5 Makara in the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple and Chomka Chek area.
She also accused that the Thai forces engaged in numerous provocative actions for many days, especially the incident on Sunday at Prorlean Thmar area.
“The Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia condemns in the strongest possible terms the inhumane and brutal acts undertaken by the Thai side. Such action is a grave violation of the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand,” signed on 26 October 2025, she said. - 819, 812 (TNA)
