The fighting enters its eighth day as Cambodian soldiers launch BM-21 rockets into the Ta Kwai Castle and Hill 350 areas early in the morning, believed to be an attempt to reclaim the territory. Thailand has responded. Intelligence reports indicate Cambodia has reinforced its forces with an additional 300 troops.
On 15 Dec 2025 GMT+7, in Surin Province, reporters covering the Thai-Cambodian border conflict reported that starting at about 06:06 a.m., Cambodian soldiers began a barrage of BM-21 rocket fire into the border area around Ta Kwai Castle and Hill 350. Thai return fire was heard intermittently. It is expected that exchanges of fire will continue throughout the day, as has been the case previously. Fierce fighting has occurred at Ta Kwai Castle, Hill 350, Chong Krang, and Ta Muean Thom Castle in Phanom Dong Rak District, all in close proximity, as Cambodia seeks to reclaim the strategically elevated points of Ta Kwai Castle and Hill 350.
From the afternoon through the evening of 14 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Cambodia launched a barrage of BM-21 rockets into Thai territory. The rockets landed in residential areas, temples, farms, and rubber plantations in Bak Dai Subdistrict, Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province, causing significant impact. Meanwhile, Thai artillery responded promptly with loud volleys of counter-fire. The gunfire gradually subsided around 10:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, local authorities of Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province, along with military and police personnel, delivered food, sticky rice with grilled pork, drinking water, and medical supplies to village leaders in Bak Dai Subdistrict. They also informed that a state of emergency has been declared in Phanom Dong Rak District. Community leaders were instructed to strictly monitor for theft or other crimes that could further harm residents. They were also advised to exercise caution in media communications, especially avoiding revealing precise locations of positions, as the area is now under martial law. Community leaders have been granted full authority to enforce laws as necessary and are instructed to prohibit residents from returning to the area completely.
At various checkpoints where volunteer defense teams (Chor Ror Bor) are stationed, personnel have been observing and exercising caution by minimizing lighting to avoid detection by Cambodian drones. They are closely monitoring alerts from their commanding units to ensure the safety of community leaders and volunteer defense forces.
At the Chong Chom border point, Dan Subdistrict, Kab Choeng District, there were no gunfire reports this morning, marking the second day of relative calm. However, vigilance remains necessary. Facebook page "Wasana Nanuam" posted yesterday evening that "Second Army Command revealed that Cambodia has reinforced 300 soldiers aiming to retake Chong Chom and Chong Rayi, disarming Surin, with intermittent small arms fire after Thailand's recapture." The situation will continue to be closely monitored.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.