Tensions escalated sharply as Cambodia launched a barrage of BM-21 rockets attacking Thai soldiers near the Kantharalak district border, with some rockets striking and damaging the Pha Mo E Daeng National Park office.
On 23 December 2025 GMT+7, reporters covering the Thai–Cambodian border in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, observed ongoing exchanges of heavy weapons fire between Thai and Cambodian soldiers. Thai forces employed concentrated supporting fire aimed at Cambodian military targets posing threats to Thailand in the Pha Mo E Daeng and Chong Khan Ma areas, while Cambodian forces responded with multiple BM-21 rocket salvos and heavy artillery.
Particularly in the area along Chom Sam Tae–Don Traw–Phu Phee–Sattasom–Phanom Prasit So and Chong Ta Thao, Cambodian forces used heavy weapons, including artillery, machine guns, and tanks, firing toward Thai positions while attempting to locate Thai tank positions. Thai forces detected Cambodian tanks and used artillery to control the area around Phu Phee, a main Cambodian firing base, successfully destroying several targets.
At 09:23 GMT+7 near Pha Mo E Daeng–Huai Tamaria, Cambodian forces fired artillery from Hill 281 toward the Phu Ma Kuea area and launched multiple BM-21 rocket salvos into Thai territory. Some shells landed on the tourist service building at the Pha Mo E Daeng viewpoint within Khao Phra Wihan National Park, as well as damaging the community market and entrance road heavily.
Meanwhile, at 10:00 GMT+7, artillery shells of unknown type fell in a border community area, landing in residential homes at Ban Nong Mek—the same location previously hit by BM-21 rockets. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.