Clashes in the border area between Cambodia and Thailand continued this Sunday (December 14, 2025), after a week of fighting in which, according to official figures from both countries, 33 people died and more than 200 were injured.
Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said in a statement that the government “has decided to completely suspend all entry and exit movements at all border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand with immediate effect and until further notice.”
Phnom Penh says the decision is aimed at protecting civilians (including foreigners of various nationalities who have been unable to enter Thailand) from the risks associated with military clashes, which in the last week have included the use of aircraft and missiles along the approximately 820-kilometer-long border.
Cambodia urged its citizens living in Thailand and Thais hoping to return to their country to remain there “until the ceasefire is fully implemented” after Bangkok refused to announce a cessation of hostilities despite mediation by US President Donald Trump and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Curfew in effect
Thailand, in turn, announced a curfew in its southeastern province of Trat after clashes with Cambodia spread to coastal areas of a disputed border region.
Two days ago, the President of the United States and potential mediator Donald Trump announced that the parties had agreed to end the fighting.
The Thai curfew applies to five districts in Trat province bordering Koh Kong, excluding the tourist islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood. The military had already imposed a curfew in the eastern province of Sakeo, which remains in force.
The Southeast Asian neighbors have resorted to arms several times this year after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a battle in May, reigniting a conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border.
Continuous battles
“Overall, there has been ongoing fighting” since Cambodia reaffirmed its readiness for a ceasefire on Saturday, Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant said.
Kongsiri, at a press conference in Bangkok after the curfew announcement.
Thailand is open to a diplomatic solution, but “Cambodia must first cease hostilities before we can negotiate,” he said.
Thai forces said on Saturday they had destroyed a bridge used by Cambodia to transport heavy weapons and other equipment to the region, and launched an operation against pre-positioned artillery in Thailand’s coastal province of Koh Kong.
Cambodia accused Thailand of attacking civilian infrastructure.
gs (efe, reuters)
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