The Army condemns Cambodia's attack on civilian communities using indiscriminate force, highlighting the severe impact on Thai civilians in the border area.
On 20 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Major General Winthai Suwaree, Army spokesperson, stated that the Army condemns Cambodia's use of military force and weapons to attack communities and civilian homes near the Thai-Cambodian border, which is a civilian area and not a military zone. Such actions constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law principles protecting civilians and accepted international norms, directly affecting many innocent Thai people.
This use of force has caused widespread loss and suffering among the border population, affecting lives, property, and livelihoods. It has forced residents to live in fear and insecurity due to disregard for humanitarian consequences and civilian safety.
The ongoing unrest and military activity along the border remain tense and have broadly impacted Thai citizens, with approximately 400,000 affected. There have been 23 fatalities: one caused directly by multiple BM-21 rocket strikes on residential areas, and 22 indirectly related to the events.
Additionally, six civilians have been injured in these attacks. All casualties and injuries are among innocent civilians unrelated to the fighting. Beyond loss of life, the attacks have severely damaged civilian property and infrastructure, destroying at least 30 homes and damaging agricultural areas—the main income source—disrupting normal livelihoods.
Furthermore, 20 hospitals and 201 subdistrict health promotion hospitals have been affected, notably Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, hit directly by BM-21 rocket fire. The insecurity has also forced many border schools to suspend classes, denying children and youth access to education and forcing them to live in fear, severely and persistently impacting their quality of life and long-term security.
The Army spokesperson emphasized that Cambodia’s indiscriminate targeting has inevitably increased harm to civilians. Thai people should not be targeted or affected by such military actions. The Army calls on Cambodia to immediately cease violence against innocent civilians and strictly adhere to international and humanitarian laws.
Thanks to the Facebook page of the Army Spokesperson Team.