BANGKOK– Thailand’s border conflict with Cambodia has taken a sharp turn. Royal Thai Air Force F-16s carried out precision airstrikes on Cambodian locations, including a casino complex near Thmor Da in Pursat province and the O-Jik Bridge in Oddar Meanchey. Thai military sources say both sites had been turned into forward bases used to plan and support attacks into Thailand.
Thai officials say the missions were meant to break supply routes feeding Cambodian positions near the Ta Kwai ruins and Hill 350 in Surin province. Fighting has also intensified along several fronts, with Si Sa Ket seeing some of the heaviest exchanges.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces said on Saturday that the targets were military in nature, even if they appeared civilian on the surface. Thailand also accused Cambodian units of firing rockets and shells into non-military areas, leaving homes and public buildings damaged.
Casino Used as Military Field HQ Bombed
Thai intelligence has tracked border casinos in Cambodia for years, often linking them to illegal activity. In the current conflict, Thailand claims some of these buildings have been repurposed for combat use.
The main strike in Pursat hit a large casino building near Thmor Da in Veal Veng district. Royal Thai Air Force spokesmen said the site acted as a forward command centre. Thai officials allege Cambodian forces used it to direct operations, launch armed drones, operate anti-drone jamming gear, and fire artillery into Thai territory, including BM-21 Grad rocket systems .
“These were not casinos in any normal sense any more,” a senior Air Force officer told reporters in Bangkok. “We saw clear signs of military use from satellite data and drone flights, including drone storage, radar and jamming equipment, gun positions, and stockpiles.”
Thai forces have made similar claims about other casino sites near the border, including in Oddar Meanchey and Poipet. They argue that placing military kit around civilian-looking buildings made targeting harder and raised the risk to people nearby.
The Thmor Da strike followed earlier moves in Trat province, where Thai naval and air units targeted routes linked to supply runs. Thai sources said secondary blasts after the attack suggested ammunition stores were hit, and the explosions could be seen from Thailand.
Cambodian Bridge Taken Out By F-16s
In a separate operation late on Friday night, Thai F-16s hit the O-Jik Bridge with precision-guided weapons. The bridge links areas between Chong Kal district in Oddar Meanchey and Srei Snam in Siem Reap province.
Thai analysts describe the bridge as a key route for moving troops, weapons, and supplies towards Cambodian forward positions facing the Ta Kwai temple area (Ta Krabey in Cambodia) and Mount 350, better known as Hill 350, in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin.
“Taking out this bridge cuts their ability to send reinforcements and supplies,” said Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree. “It helps protect our lines at Ta Kwai and Hill 350, where close fighting is still going on.”
Ta Kwai, an 11th-century Khmer site in contested territory, has become a major flashpoint. Thai officials accuse Cambodian forces of placing landmines around the area and using the temple grounds as a defensive position, prompting Thai counterattacks.
Ground Battles Continue, Hill 350 Held by Thai Troops
On the ground, the Second Army Region reported heavy clashes along the Dangrek mountain range, especially in Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buriram.
“Combat remains intense in parts of Si Sa Ket,” the army said on Saturday. “Cambodian units keep probing our positions, but our troops are holding.”
Thai forces reported a key gain at Hill 350, a high point overlooking Ta Kwai. The Suranaree Task Force said it secured the hill on 20 December after days of fighting. Troops also recovered the bodies of two Thai soldiers , Sergeant Major Samroeng Khlangprakhon and Private Phanupat Saorsa, both from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment.
They were killed on 16 December during early assaults. The recovery was delayed because of mine threats. Thailand accuses Cambodia of planting mines in the area, which it says breaks the Ottawa Convention.
“These men died defending our sovereignty,” said Second Army Commander Lt Gen Weerayuth Raksilp. “Holding Hill 350 stops the enemy from watching and striking our positions.”
Thai units also said they pushed back attacks in Kap Choeng district, Surin, where Cambodian forces used BM-21 rockets and mortars.
Thailand Says Civilian Areas Hit by Cambodian Fire
Thai officials have repeated claims that Cambodian shells and rockets have landed well away from front lines.
“Many impacts have hit homes, hospitals, schools, and villages,” said Defence Ministry spokesman Admiral Surasant Kongsiri. Thai authorities pointed to damage in parts of Si Sa Ket and residential zones in Surin, with civilian casualties reported.
More than 125,000 people in Thailand have been moved to temporary shelters in affected provinces. Thai officials say they will present evidence of these strikes to international bodies.
As the fighting grows, outside pressure is rising. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Washington wants Thailand and Cambodia to return to a ceasefire agreed earlier this year, brokered by President Donald Trump.
“We’re working this hard,” Rubio said after calls with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. “The goal is to get back to the agreement by early next week, Monday or Tuesday at the latest.”
Rubio said the focus should be on following the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, witnessed by Trump, rather than starting fresh talks.
Thailand says Cambodia must act first. “Phnom Penh needs to state a clear intent to stop fighting and pull forces back from disputed zones,” a Foreign Ministry source said. “Then we can move towards de-escalation.”
ASEAN foreign ministers are due to meet on Monday in Kuala Lumpur. China has also sent envoys for shuttle talks.
The conflict flared again earlier this month after fresh clashes. It has forced large numbers of people to flee on both sides. Thailand reports dozens killed or wounded. Cambodian sources have made similar claims and accuse Thailand of starting the attacks.
Historic sites, including Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom, face the risk of lasting damage, bringing back memories of earlier disputes that ended up at the International Court of Justice.
As airstrikes and artillery continue near the border, people across Thailand are watching closely, from Chiang Rai to the frontline provinces. Many remember the 2011 clashes over Preah Vihear and hope talks can stop the violence before it spreads further.
For now, the situation remains tense. With casino sites hit, a bridge destroyed, and hilltops contested, a quick return to calm looks unlikely. The Royal Thai Armed Forces say they will hold their ground, while calling on Cambodia to stop hostilities.
Thailand says it’s waiting for Cambodia to choose peace, or it will keep defending its territory.
