The Royal Thai Air Force carried out air strikes against two Cambodian military targets on Thursday, after a surprise assault earlier in the day.
According to Royal Thai Army deputy spokesperson Col. Ritcha Suksuwanon, six F-16 fighter jets were launched from Ubon Ratchathani province and struck ground targets inside Cambodia.
“We have used air power against military targets as planned,” Col. Suksuwanon told reporters during a press briefing.
The operation came hours after Cambodian forces attacked a Thai military base near the Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province. The 2nd Army Region said the incident began around 7:35 a.m. when a Cambodian unmanned aerial vehicle was detected flying in the area. Moments later, six Cambodian soldiers reportedly approached the barbed-wire perimeter of the Thai base, carrying rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons.
Thai soldiers issued verbal warnings in an effort to de-escalate the situation, according to the Royal Thai Army. However, Cambodian troops opened fire, and rockets were subsequently launched toward Si Sa Ket province.
In a statement Thursday, the Royal Thai Army confirmed that multiple Thai civilian zones were struck by supporting artillery fire originating from Cambodian territory. The shelling resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians, including an eight-year-old boy, and left 14 others wounded.
The Thai military identified the affected regions as Sisaket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Buriram provinces. Authorities are continuing damage assessments and conducting emergency evacuations in high-risk areas near the border.
Thursday’s cross-border violence represents one of the most serious military escalations between Thailand and Cambodia in recent years. The two nations have a long history of tension over disputed border regions, particularly near ancient temple complexes.
The Thai government has not publicly commented on further military responses but has confirmed that its forces remain on high alert.
There was no immediate statement from Cambodian officials regarding the Thai air strikes or their military’s earlier actions.
The situation remains fluid, and additional deployments to the border are underway, Thai military sources said. Evacuation plans have also been activated for civilian populations in high-risk zones.
The Thai Ministry of Defense has not announced whether further retaliatory measures are planned, but said “Thailand stands ready to defend its sovereignty and protect its people from such inhumane acts.”