Tensions Explode as Thai F-16 Jets Reportedly Breach Ceasefire in Renewed Border Conflict in Southeast Asia
London, UK – December 13, 2025
Renewed Border Conflict in Southeast Asia flares into a major international incident as reports surface of Thai F-16 fighter jets conducting airstrikes on Cambodian soil, hours after a US-brokered ceasefire was announced.
This dramatic escalation in the long-running territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is shattering fragile diplomatic efforts and propelling the humanitarian crisis to catastrophic levels, demonstrating the volatility inherent in this deeply rooted rivalry.
The CJ newspaper editorial team has been following this conflict closely, and this detailed report outlines the immediate consequences and the high-stakes geopolitical backdrop.
Headline Points
• Ceasefire Collapse:
Fighting reportedly continued along the border despite a high-level ceasefire announcement, with Cambodia’s Defence Ministry accusing Thailand of continuing air and ground operations.
• Airstrike Details:
Reports indicated Thai F-16s struck targets deep inside Cambodia, suggesting a significant military objective beyond simple border skirmishes.
• Humanitarian Disaster:
The escalation since early December has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, with reports suggesting nearly 400,000 Thai citizens and over a hundred thousand Cambodian families have been moved to shelters.
• Political Instability:
The conflict has further destabilized Thai internal politics and deepened the animosity between key political figures in both nations, fueling the war rhetoric.
• Territorial Claim:
The core of the renewed violence centers on contested territorial claims rooted in colonial-era treaties and the centuries-old cultural rivalry over border temples.
A Breakdown of the Fractured Ceasefire
The border conflict, which had seen violent flare-ups throughout the latter half of 2025, sharply escalated earlier in December.
The conflict’s roots lie in centuries of animosity and ambiguous colonial-era border delineations, particularly around key temple zones.
While a ceasefire was brokered in October, mediated by regional powers and encouraged by the United States and China, it proved to be short-lived. Minor skirmishes in November exploded into major clashes in December, triggered by Cambodian attacks and subsequent large-scale ground and F-16 air operations launched by the Thai Royal Army (RTA) on December 8.
The initial round of heavy fighting saw Thailand launch air strikes, claiming they were targeting Cambodian military facilities believed to house long-range artillery, with the stated aim of crippling Cambodia’s military capacity.
Cambodia, in turn, has accused Thai forces of being the aggressors, carrying out numerous provocative actions.
In a dramatic turn, following intense diplomatic pressure, a ceasefire was recently announced. However, the truce appears to have been immediately and catastrophically breached.
Sources from Phnom Penh reported that Thai F-16 jets continued to bomb targets inside Cambodia on December 12 and 13, signaling a clear breakdown of the agreement.
This suggests either a critical failure in military command and control or a deliberate decision by the Thai military establishment to press its operational advantage despite political promises.
Civilian Suffering and Political Fallout
The human cost of this conflict is devastating. Reports from early December indicated that Thailand had evacuated roughly 385,000 people to emergency shelters, while Cambodian authorities reported the displacement of tens of thousands of families.
The sustained artillery and air exchanges mean that the official US Embassy has issued severe security alerts, advising citizens to avoid all travel within 50 kilometers of the border area due to active hostilities and unpredictable security conditions.
Civilian casualties have been reported on both sides, with the total number of displaced persons now potentially exceeding half a million.
Furthermore, the conflict has been acutely felt in the political arenas of both nations. The dispute is no longer confined to military exchanges but has become a tool in domestic political struggles, with key figures trading public accusations and fueling nationalist sentiments that make de-escalation nearly impossible.
The diplomatic crisis has seen both nations expel ambassadors, freezing direct political dialogue and leaving the path to peace dependent entirely on external mediation, which itself has proven to be ineffective in the face of renewed military action.
The continued military operations, especially the use of sophisticated air assets like the F-16s, send a powerful signal that the conflict is far from resolution, presenting a grave challenge to regional stability.
