Cambodia is facing one of its largest internal displacements in decades after renewed Thai military attacks forced more than 300,000 civilians from their homes across multiple border provinces.

 

According to figures released by the Ministry of Interior, 303,213 people — representing over 89,687 families — had fled by early afternoon on 12 December. The largest movements were recorded in Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey, where communities have been evacuating under sustained shelling and airstrikes since fighting reignited on 7 December.

 

The Ministry confirmed 11 civilian deaths so far, including six in Banteay Meanchey and four in Oddar Meanchey. Hundreds of schools have temporarily closed, and damage has been reported to homes, health centres and religious sites. In Oddar Meanchey, the Kiri Mongkol O’Smach Pagoda was severely damaged after being shelled late Friday morning.

 

Authorities say Thai operations have expanded across Preah Vihear, Battambang and Pursat provinces, involving heavy weapons, F‑16 fighter jets and what Cambodian officials describe as “toxic gas”. Phnom Penh maintains it exercised more than 24 hours of restraint before counterattacking in what it calls self‑defence.

 

In Koh Kong province, residents were urged to evacuate before dawn on Saturday after gunfire was reported near Koh Yor beach. Governor Chhi Va issued a 3.30am alert directing people to pre‑identified shelters, including pagodas, district halls and schools. Those unable to travel were told to gather at the provincial Red Cross branch for assistance.

 

The scale of the strikes widened further early this morning when two Thai F‑16s bombed Victory Bridge — also known as Me Teuk Bridge — in Pursat’s Thma Da area. The attack severed a key section of National Road 55, cutting off the main route between Pursat town and border communities. Cambodia’s Minister of Information, Neth Pheakra, condemned the strike, accusing Thai forces of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure.

 

Initial reports also indicate that at least two hotels and additional structures near the Thma Da checkpoint were destroyed in the same wave of airstrikes.

 

Phnom Penh has called on Thailand to halt what it describes as “military aggression” against Cambodian territory, warning that continued attacks on residential areas and public facilities constitute a serious violation of sovereignty.

 

As fighting intensifies along the frontier, the humanitarian toll is rising sharply — and the prospect of a swift de‑escalation appears increasingly remote.

 

-2025-12-14

figures for Thailand &  cambodia are up over 500,000
PLUS cambodia has closed the border crossing at Poi pet ( there was talk about allowing Cambodians and Thais to return home )
Hun Manet says , they have to just stay put

WHY???

Shame to see this happening here.  Hurting the poor decent communities. Be over soon Donald will end it making number 10.