Royal Thai Air Force Launches Strikes on Cambodian Military Targets Amid Border Escalation

Thai Air Force Strikes Cambodian Military Targets

BANGKOK — On 8 December 2025, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) carried out air strikes against multiple military targets inside Cambodia after a fresh bout of cross-border hostilities. The air operations followed what Bangkok described as hostile actions and troop mobilization by Cambodian forces along the disputed border. According to RTAF, the strikes were aimed at neutralizing Cambodian military infrastructure, weapons depots, command centres and logistical routes.

Context: A Fragile Border and Recent Clashes

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have surged throughout 2025. In July, border clashes near disputed territory — including the area around the Ta Moan Thom Temple — saw the first combat deployment of RTAF fighter jets of the year. At that time, a Thai F-16 struck Cambodian military targets, prompting condemnation from Phnom Penh.

Bangkok’s decision to again rely on air power underscores the widening gulf between the two neighbours and suggests the breakdown of recent diplomatic efforts to stabilize the frontier. Cambodia’s defense forces remain limited: the Royal Cambodian Air Force reportedly only fields a small fleet of light-attack helicopters (notably the Harbin Z-9), leaving it largely unable to respond in kind.

From Statement to Strikes: What Happened

In an official statement, the RTAF said the operation was conducted jointly with the so-called Suranaree Task Force and invoked due to Cambodian “mobilization of heavy weaponry, repositioning of combat units, and preparation of fire-support elements,” actions deemed as posing direct threats to Thai personnel and civilians near the border.

The strike reportedly targeted “military infrastructure, weapons depots, command centres, and logistical routes.” According to RTAF, all missions were planned and executed under security protocols and relevant international law, with emphasis on “preventing harm to civilians.”

While Thai authorities have not publicly confirmed the precise number or type of aircraft involved, media reports indicate that RTAF’s fleet — including legacy F-16A/B jets — was likely used in the operation.

Bangkok’s decision follows what it described as a deadly cross-border exchange in which a Thai soldier was killed and several others wounded after alleged Cambodian fire. Cambodian officials, however, deny the accusations and contend that Thailand launched an unprovoked attack.

Military Balance: Why the RTAF Holds the Advantage

The RTAF possesses a robust fixed-wing combat fleet — approximately 109 combat jets and training variants, including nearly 50 F-16A/Bs, plus Gripen C/D fighters and a mix of older fighters and light-attack aircraft.

In contrast, Cambodian aerial capability is limited to a small number of light attack helicopters, offering little capacity for conventional air defense or retaliation.

This imbalance enables Thailand to project air power unilaterally along the border, raising the stakes in any further escalation and limiting Cambodia’s ability to respond symmetrically.

International Law & Official Justification

According to RTAF, the operations were grounded in self-defense under international law, citing Cambodia’s force mobilization and weapons deployments as justification. The Thai Air Force claims that the strikes were calculated to minimize risk to civilians and adhere to the principles of necessity and proportionality.

Broader Implications: Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Stability

The air strikes mark a major escalation with serious implications for regional stability in Southeast Asia. Diplomatic channels, already strained after the July clashes and a fragile truce mediated by external actors, risk total breakdown. The recent use of aerial strikes undermines confidence-building efforts and raises the specter of wider conflict or further violence.

For Cambodia, the strikes spotlight its military disadvantage, potentially prompting calls for external support or regional diplomatic intervention. For Thailand, the operation further underscores its reliance on air superiority to manage border disputes — a strategy that may face international scrutiny if civilian casualties or broader destabilization follow.

What Comes Next

The situation remains fluid. Unless both capitals pursue urgent diplomatic engagement — perhaps via regional organizations — further cross-border attacks may occur. Monitoring of civilian evacuations, border movements, and any response from Cambodian forces or international actors will be critical in the coming days.