Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Bombing Near Angkor Temples Amid Renewed Border Fighting

TDT | Manama

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Cambodia accused Thailand on Monday of carrying out airstrikes deep inside its territory, targeting areas less than a two-hour drive from the historic Angkor temple complex, a major tourist attraction.

The renewed fighting between the two Southeast Asian neighbors has claimed at least 28 lives this month, including both soldiers and civilians, and displaced around 800,000 people, officials said.

The conflict stems from long-standing border disputes dating back to colonial times along the 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier. Previous clashes in July left dozens dead before a short-lived truce was broken.

Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said Thai fighter jets bombed near a displaced persons camp in Srei Snam district, Siem Reap province. Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said it was the first time the Thai military had struck Siem Reap, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat. Thai F-16 jets reportedly penetrated more than 70 kilometers into Cambodian territory.

Tourism is a major part of Cambodia’s economy. Last year, foreign arrivals reached a record 6.7 million. But visits from July to September 2025 dropped about one-third compared to pre-pandemic levels, and ticket sales to Angkor Park fell at least 17 percent year-on-year between June and November, according to park operator Angkor Enterprise.

US President Donald Trump announced last week that the two countries had agreed to a ceasefire starting Saturday night. However, fighting continued over the weekend and into Monday, with Bangkok denying the ceasefire. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said his government would continue military operations.

Military officials on both sides confirmed that clashes along the border were ongoing.