Royal Thai Army commanders have reported intensifying clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border, confirming multiple engagements across several areas as Thai forces responded under established rules of engagement and moved quickly to support the evacuation of civilians.
The escalation follows continued fighting on Sunday, December 7, when Cambodian troops attacked positions in the Phu Pha Lek–Phlan Hin Paet Kon area of Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket province.
The latest update, delivered on Monday, December 8, by Army spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, outlined further developments overnight.
According to Winthai, new clashes erupted in the early hours of Monday in the Chong An Ma area of Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani.
Cambodian forces reportedly opened fire with small arms and indirect-fire weapons at around 5:05am and continued firing for a sustained period.
Thai troops returned fire in accordance with engagement protocols, using small arms and indirect-fire weapons to counter the assault.
At approximately 7am, another confrontation occurred in the Chong Bok area of the same district, where Thai soldiers came under attack from supporting-fire weapons. The incident resulted in the death of one Thai soldier and left four others wounded.
Winthai said the Thai military has begun deploying aircraft to strike Cambodian fire-support positions after those sites launched artillery and air-dropped munitions against Thai troops at Anupong Base, causing further casualties.
Initial air-strike targets have been identified in three locations: Chong An Ma, Prasat Khana, and a radio-mast site near the Preah Vihear area.
These positions are believed to serve as command nodes and fire-support assets used to coordinate attacks into Thai territory.
The Royal Thai Air Force confirmed that F-16 fighter jets have been deployed to provide close air support for ground units. The jets have been tasked with targeting Cambodian artillery positions firing across the border, and operations are currently under way.
Along other sectors of the border, the Suranaree Task Force under the 2nd Army Area and the Burapha Task Force under the 1st Army Area have mobilised personnel to assist in civilian evacuations under established contingency plans. Officials say further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.
