Press Release of Her Excellency Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, the Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence, would like to inform the general public, as well as national and international media outlets [Unofficial Translation]

Press Release of Her Excellency Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, the Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence, would like to inform the general public, as well as national and international media outlets [Unofficial Translation]

Press Release of Her Excellency Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, the Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence, would like to inform the general public, as well as national and international media outlets, about the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border today, as follows:

On the morning of December 8, 2025, around 05:04 AM, the Thai military forces launched an attack on the Cambodian forces in An Ses area, Tamone Thom temple, the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple, 5 Makara, Chomka Chek, Mum Bei, Phnom Kmoch, Koul 8, Ta Krabey temple and Khna temple. It should be noted that this attack occurred after the Thai military forces launched their attack on the Cambodian forces at 02:15 PM on December 7, 2025. The Thai military forces continued its provocative actions as listed below:
1- At 04:00, two heavy Thai military vehicles transported their forces from Phnom Roeng into the opposite of An Ses area.
2- At 05:04, Thai soldiers fired from the west of An Ses market towards the Cambodian forces with 25 shots of small arms.
3- At 05:19, Thai soldiers fired from the west of An Ses market towards the Cambodian forces with 38 shots of small arms.
4- At 05:25, Thai soldiers fired from the west of An Ses market at Cambodian forces with 120 shots of small arms and machine guns.
5- At 05:40, the Thai soldiers stopped firing. The Cambodian forces continue to vigilantly monitor the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border and remain highly alert at all times.
6- At 06:13, Thai soldiers began firing 3 shots from MT-60 guns.
7- At 06:22, Thai soldiers continued firing 4 shots with mortars against the Cambodian defensive line in the An Ses area.
8- At 06:51, Thai soldiers began attacking the Tamone temple area using tanks.
9- At 07:40, Thai soldiers continued firing at all targets: Mum Bei, An Ses, Phnom Khmoch, Koul 8, Preah Vihear Temple, Tamone Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, Khna Temple, using 155mm heavy artillery, tanks, and all types of mortars in the An Ses area.
10- At 08:10, Thai military forces shot toxic gas into Phnom Khmoch area.
11- At 08:14, Thai forces sprayed more toxic gas in the Preah Vihear temple area.
12- At 08:41, Thai forces continued shelling heavily at Domnak Sdech, the area between Thmar Don and Tamone temple. Currently, Thai military aircraft are flying along the border.
13- At 09:05, Thai forces attacked the Cambodian troops using F-16 fighter jets, at Sra’Aem Commune, Choam Ksan District, Preah Vihear Province.
14- At 09:30, Thai armed forces continued to attack our troops at Khna temple and O’ Samach, using 12.7 mm guns as well as tanks for ramming.
15- At 10:00, the Thai forces continued to attack the Cambodian troops fiercely, using mortars, heavy artillery, and tanks to ram into the An Ses area and the direction of Preah Vihear Temple.

As of 11:00, Thai military forces have continued to fire targeting the Cambodian forces and civilian locations. Our forces continue to vigilantly monitor the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border with utmost caution.

It should be noted that this attack occurred after the Thai forces engaged in numerous provocative actions for many days, especially the incident yesterday at Prorlean Thmar area, with the objective of instigating confrontations. At the same time, the Thai side also actively disseminates false information through official and unofficial channels, accusing Cambodia, with the intention of misleading national and international public opinion and using it as a pretext to re-escalate military tensions with Cambodia.

Furthermore, the Thai military’s attack has expanded to the residential villages of civilians in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear Provinces, causing many injuries to innocent civilians and destroying numerous homes, forcing the local innocent civilians, including children, the elderly, men, and women, to urgently flee to find temporary safe places. The provincial authorities of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces have assisted in facilitating the evacuation of residents fleeing from dangerous areas to safety zones.

Throughout the entire course of the attacks, the Cambodian forces did not retaliate at all, as our forces remain strictly committed to respecting and implementing the terms of the Ceasefire Agreement, the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand, and previous agreements between the two countries, based on the principles of resolving the disputes peacefully and in compliance with international law.

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 clearly is a grave breach of the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand, signed by both parties on October 26, 2025, with the auspicious witness of the U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister, H.E. Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as the ASEAN rotating Chair.

In this sense, Cambodia calls on the international community to strongly condemn Thailand’s violations of the Joint Declaration and its repeated unlawful activities, as well as demands that Thailand take full responsibility for such brazen acts of aggression. Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities that threaten peace and stability in the region. At the same time, we call on the Thai side to turn to firmly honour the Ceasefire Agreement, the Joint Declaration, as well as the obligations under international law with sincerity, in good faith and goodwill.

Cambodia is firmly committed to respecting and implementing the terms of the Ceasefire Agreement, the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand, as well as all agreements previously reached by both parties with the highest sense of responsibility and goodwill.

Rather than resorting to acts of aggression or the use of force, Cambodia firmly adheres to resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, the existing treaties, conventions and agreements, so as to seek solution that is just, fair, long-lasting, and in compliance with international law.

Based on the above information, the public, both national and international media outlets, are advised to be informed accordingly.

December 08, 2025

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