Cambodia’s defense ministry accused Thailand of bombing a casino hub in Poipet, a major land crossing between the two nations, as clashes intensified despite President Donald Trump’s claim of a new ceasefire.
The ministry reported that three bombs struck the area, damaging a warehouse and injuring two civilians.
Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped three bombs into a civilian area in Phsar Kandal village and commune in Poipet town, Banteay Meanchey province, damaging a building on the morning of December 18, according to the education minister Hang Chuon Naron pic.twitter.com/cLnPkrucML
— The Phnom Penh Post (@phnompenhpost) December 18, 2025
Thai Air Force spokesman Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai confirmed the strike but said the target was a “logistics center” used to store BM-21 rockets.
🚨‼️At 11:06 AM on December 18, 2025, Siamese soldiers used F-16 fighter jets to drop 2 bombs in the village of Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey province.
Source: Ministry of National Defence🇰🇭 pic.twitter.com/lMtypK2qEp— Sovan Ratana (@SovanRatana_) December 18, 2025
According to Thai officials, at least 5,000 Thai nationals remain stranded in Poipet after Cambodia closed its land border crossings on Saturday.
Cambodia’s interior ministry described the closures as a “necessary measure” to protect civilians amid ongoing fighting, noting that air travel remains available for those wishing to leave. The ministry added that at least four casinos in Cambodia have been damaged by Thai strikes this week.
Renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia erupted in mid-December, shortly after the peace agreement was suspended following a landmine incident that injured Thai soldiers. The two countries had signed the ceasefire deal in October following deadly clashes in July.
Last Friday, President Donald Trump said Thailand and Cambodia had agreed “to cease all shooting.” He made the announcement following calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
“They have agreed to cease all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original peace accord made with me, and them, with the help of the great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
However, Bangkok rejected Trump’s claims that a truce had been reached.
Officials reported that the renewed clashes this month have killed at least 21 people in Thailand and 18 in Cambodia, and forced over 800,000 residents to flee their homes.
