Thai fighter jets launched a powerful airstrike on a Cambodian casino building in Thmor Da, situated in Cambodia’s Pursat province, just across from Thailand’s Trat province. Officials reported that the targeted building was being used by Cambodian military forces. The air operation, named “Trat Triumphs Over Adversaries,” has been ongoing for 12 days along the contested border in Thailand’s eastern seaside region.
On Saturday, two Thai F-16 jets took off from Trat and dropped six bombs on the identified target. The mission lasted approximately 20 minutes. Thai authorities stated that the strike successfully destroyed a Cambodian military stronghold in Thmor Da, located in the Veal Veng district.
Intelligence Guides Targeted Strikes
The Thai military conducted the airstrike based on intelligence gathered by the Trat Marine Task Force. According to the intelligence, Cambodian soldiers and heavy weapons were moving close to the border. In addition, Thai officials explained that Cambodian casino compounds were gathering troops, storing equipment, and coordinating attacks on Thai territory.
As a result, military sources said that these locations posed a direct threat to Thailand’s security. To address this, Thai forces used air support to disrupt Cambodian military operations in the area.
However, Cambodian media reported the incident differently, claiming that Thai forces hit private commercial buildings and a primary school. Cambodian authorities have not released details about casualties or the full extent of the damage. Despite this, Thmor Da continued to experience mortar fire and clashes, showing that tensions along the border remain high.
Furthermore, the Thai military stated that some Cambodian structures had crossed over into Thailand’s Trat province. Officials claimed that the strikes were a response to these border encroachments, and they added that ongoing surveillance is planned to monitor further movements.
Previous Casino Strikes and Military Tactics
This latest airstrike follows a similar operation on Thursday, when Thai jets targeted a building in Poipet, a Cambodian casino town opposite Sa Kaeo province. Thai forces said the strike destroyed a logistics centre used to store rockets.
Thailand’s interior ministry reported that Thai operations damaged at least four Cambodian casinos this week. Thai security officials noted that the targeted casino buildings were heavily reinforced, which made airstrikes alone insufficient to destroy them completely. To overcome this, Thai forces first fired artillery to breach the side walls and then dropped delayed-fuse bombs from F-16s onto the rooftops. Officials explained that while the buildings may still look standing from the outside, Thai strikes destroyed their interiors, rendering them unusable for military purposes.
Thai authorities said that Cambodian forces had converted the casinos into forward military command centres. They reported that the facilities housed operations to launch drones, operate anti-drone systems, fire artillery, and even launch BM-21 rockets into Thai territory.
So far, Thai officials have not provided details about casualties resulting from the airstrikes. Similarly, Cambodia has not shared any information on deaths or injuries since the conflict began.
Border Dispute Fuels Ongoing Clashes
The renewed clashes stem from a long-standing territorial dispute along the 800-kilometre Thailand-Cambodia border. The disagreement traces back to colonial-era border demarcations and the presence of ancient temple ruins scattered along the frontier.
Both countries have blamed each other for starting the recent fighting. Both countries have also traded accusations over attacks affecting civilians living near the border. The airstrikes show how intense the conflict has become and demonstrate that both sides continue to conduct military operations in contested areas.
Thailand moves to defend border operations as Cambodia disputes claims in renewed hostilities
Thai forces carried out recent airstrikes under the “Trat Triumphs Over Adversaries” operation, using airpower and intelligence strategically to respond to border threats. By repeatedly targeting Cambodian casino buildings, Thai forces focused on locations they believe serve as military command centres and weapons storage sites.
These developments underline the growing tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border and the serious security concerns faced by both nations amid the ongoing military operations.