December 18, 2025 | 06:43 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cambodia stated that Thailand's military, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, bombed the casino town of Poipet, a major intersection between the two countries. The attack occurred despite the international community's urging both countries to stop the rekindled border clashes.
"Thai forces dropped two bombs in the area of Poipet Municipality, Banteay Meanchey Province at around 11am on Thursday," said Cambodia's defense ministry in a statement as reported by CNA.
Thailand has not confirmed any attacks in Poipet, a bustling and popular casino center among Thai gamblers.
The recent battles between neighboring countries in Southeast Asia this month have claimed at least 21 lives in Thailand and 17 in Cambodia, with about 800,000 people displaced, officials said.
The conflict stems from territorial disputes over an 800-kilometer colonial-era border demarcation and ancient temple ruins located on the border.
Each side has blamed the other for sparking new battles and accused the other of attacking civilians.
Thailand said on Tuesday that between 5,000 and 6,000 Thai nationals are still trapped in Poipet after Cambodia closed its land border with the neighboring country.
Cambodia's Interior Ministry said the border closure was "a necessary measure" to reduce the risk to civilians amid the ongoing battles, adding that air travel remains an option for those wishing to leave.
At least four casinos in Cambodia were damaged by attacks from Thailand, the interior ministry said this week.
Diplomatic Efforts
Five days of fighting between Cambodia and Thailand in July claimed dozens of lives before a ceasefire mediated by the United States, China, and Malaysia, which was then violated within months.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly intervened in this protracted conflict this year, claimed last week that both countries had agreed to a new ceasefire.
However, Bangkok denied an agreement on a ceasefire, and battles with artillery, tanks, drones, and jets have continued daily since the initial border clash earlier this month sparked a new phase of conflict.
China said it will send a special envoy for Asian affairs to Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday for "shuttle diplomacy" to help bridge the gap and "rebuild peace".
"Through its own way, China has been working actively for de-escalation," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday night.
Foreign ministers from the ASEAN regional bloc countries are scheduled to meet on Monday, December 22, 2025, in Malaysia for emergency talks aimed at seeking a diplomatic solution.
"Our duty is to present the facts but more important is to press upon them that it is imperative for them to secure peace," said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to reporters on Wednesday night.
"We are appealing to them to immediately stop this frontline offensive and if possible, an immediate ceasefire," Anwar said at his official residence in Putrajaya, adding that he is "cautiously optimistic" about the talks.
Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas said in a statement that she had spoken with the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand on Wednesday, offering EU support for monitoring the ceasefire with satellite imagery.
"The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia must not be allowed to spiral further. That's why the ceasefire needs to be immediately restored," said Kallas.
Read: China Denies Thai Allegations of Supplying Arms to Cambodia
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