Background
The Cambodia-Thailand border is a long-standing area of strategic and diplomatic sensitivity, particularly in zones linked to disputed territory and military deployments near Preah Vihear and other frontier areas. Border security in Cambodia involves the protection of territorial sovereignty, the monitoring of cross-border military activity, and coordination between defense institutions and central government communication channels.
Territorial sovereignty is a core function of the Cambodian state and includes the defense of land borders, airspace, and civilian areas near frontier lines. Official border incident reporting serves a governance function by creating a public record of security developments, military claims, and locations affected by cross-border hostilities. In Cambodia, provinces such as Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey have recurring relevance in border security reporting because they contain frontline areas, border communities, and sensitive historical sites.
Key Developments
According to the Press and Quick Reaction Unit, the government issued a summary of the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border covering the period from 5:15 p.m. on 24 December 2025 to 5:00 p.m. on 25 December 2025. The statement described continuing attacks by Thai forces that it said were intended to violate Cambodia’s sovereignty in the areas of Military Region 4 and Military Region 5.
For the frontline situation in Military Region 4, covering parts of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces, the statement reported that at 5:15 p.m. on 24 December 2025, Thai forces used tanks and infantry in the areas of Veal Intri, Chamkar Chek, 5 Makara, and Sambok Khmum. At 11:00 p.m. the same day, the statement said Thai forces used tanks to fire about 20 rounds into the Preah Vihear temple area.
For 25 December 2025, the statement reported that from 6:15 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., Thai forces used heavy artillery, tank-mounted guns, and suicide drones in the Preah Vihear temple area. From 7:40 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., the statement said Thai forces continued long-range shelling into the same area. From 9:24 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., it reported continued shelling into the Ta Moan temple area.
The statement further said that at 9:50 a.m., a Thai reconnaissance aircraft violated Cambodian sovereignty over the Ta Moan temple area. At 11:00 a.m., it reported intensified fire on the Ta Moan area. At 12:00 p.m., the statement said Thai forces used 155 mm artillery and DTI-2 rocket systems from a distance into the Preah Vihear temple area.
At 1:20 p.m., the statement reported the use of bombing aircraft as well as continued artillery and DTI-2 rocket fire into the Preah Vihear area and O’Smach in Oddar Meanchey province. From 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., it said Thai forces fired DTI-2 and SR4 rocket systems at Preah Vihear, Phnom Khmoch, Cham Tae, and Objective 8, with attacks also reaching populated areas in Sra’em district and Peak Sbek in Preah Vihear province, while long-range shelling also targeted O’Smach in Oddar Meanchey province.
Implications
The reported developments are relevant to Cambodia’s border security posture, civilian protection concerns, and interstate relations with Thailand. The reported use of artillery, rockets, aircraft, and drones in frontier areas indicates a security issue extending beyond isolated local incidents and affecting both military positions and nearby populated areas.
For researchers, policymakers, and businesses monitoring Cambodia, the statement provides an official record of claimed military activity in border provinces with strategic and historical significance. Such reporting may affect risk assessment for border-area operations, transport planning, local administration, and the broader diplomatic environment surrounding Cambodia-Thailand relations.
Official Source
Press and Quick Reaction Unit, situation summary on the Cambodia-Thailand border, published 25 December 2025.
Source: Official post
