Late at night on December 18th, Cambodian military forces unexpectedly used Chinese missiles to shoot down a $9 million Israeli-made Dominator XP unmanned aerial vehicle from Thailand, causing the wreckage to ignite a raging fire on the ground. On the same day afternoon, Thai F-16 fighter jets bombarded a casino and military camp in the heart of the Cambodian border town of Poipet, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky.
Thai ground forces surged forward, seizing multiple strongholds and capturing Chinese heavy machine guns and mortars. In response, Cambodian forces fought back barefoot, rockets piercing the night sky.
From the unmanned aerial vehicle crash to fighter jet airstrikes and bombings of fraudulent casino complexes, what lies behind this Southeast Asian hot conflict is a complex game of maneuvering between China and Thailand.
The unmanned aerial vehicle in question is a long-endurance unmanned aircraft developed by an Israeli company, based on the DA42 twin-engine propeller aircraft from Diamond Aircraft Industries. Primarily used for reconnaissance, monitoring, and intelligence gathering, it can be equipped with various sensors such as infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar, maritime radar, tailored to specific mission requirements. With a flight duration exceeding 20 hours, a maximum payload of 373 kilograms, and a maximum flight altitude of 8 kilometers, both Thailand and Mexico have introduced this UAV. Currently, Thailand possesses three of these UAVs, each costing $9 million.
Footage from the scene shows the unmanned aerial vehicle being shot down by Cambodian forces at night, with the wreckage engulfed in flames on the ground. Cambodia, in fact, lacks substantial air defense systems, utilizing portable systems like the Chinese-made Vanguard-II and Vanguard-III surface-to-air missiles with a height of up to 3 kilometers and a range of approximately 5 to 6 kilometers, suitable for low-altitude drones. However, detecting and bringing down large unmanned aircraft at night remains challenging.
Additionally, Cambodia has also imported the Chinese-made KS-1 medium-range surface-to-air missile, an export version of the Chinese HQ-12. The KS-1 can reach a range of 70 kilometers and an altitude exceeding 20 kilometers, making it suitable for intercepting Israeli drones. It was not until September 2023 that the Cambodian military formally received the KS-1 air defense system from China. By 2025, sporadic reports indicate Cambodian troops have deployed the system. The circumstances of how the Israeli UAV was shot down are still unclear, but for Cambodia, it marks a rare air defense victory.
On the afternoon of December 18, from 2:00 to 3:00, Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodian military targets using F-16 fighter jets. The targets included a military base and arsenal near the Cambodian border in Banteay Meanchey province. Local villagers captured extensive videos, mostly recorded after the attacks, revealing a weapons depot struck, leading to billowing smoke.
The incident took place near Poipet, a city in Banteay Meanchey province crucial for connecting Thailand and Cambodia through a vital land border. The area is densely populated, evident from the multitude of on-site footage recorded by the locals.
In another video, Thai F-16 fighter jets can be seen dropping bombs on a casino building complex situated in the center of Poipet city. The Thai military indicated that the site was used by Cambodian forces for troop gatherings and as an arsenal.
In a video dated December 17, Thai forces employed their domestically developed DTI-2 rockets to strike the Pawach area in Cambodia. The rocket launch vehicle is an indigenous Thai production, with each rocket weighing 65 kilograms and capable of reaching 40 kilometers, marking its first combat use.
Furthermore, Thailand’s ground forces have made continual progress. The latest video from December 18 depicts Thai troops seizing a Cambodian military stronghold, uncovering Chinese QGZ-89 heavy machine guns, a 120mm Type 86 mortar, and various ammunition types at the site.
In a video from December 17, Thai forces managed to control the Prasat Ta Krabey ruins near Surin province, forcing Cambodian forces to retreat. The video shows Thai soldiers elated and morale boosted. Since conflicts erupted in July, this historical site has been a contested ground. Although a ceasefire was brokered between both sides on July 29, Cambodian troops subsequently established positions within the temple compound.
On December 16, the Royal Thai Army released a victory report, announcing the capture of the An Ma district belonging to Cambodia. By 6:00 in the local time, Thai troops raised the national flag in the area, singing the national anthem.
Throughout this war, a recurring scene showcases Thai units firing upon Cambodian casino buildings along the border. The videos of these attacks illustrate the buildings engulfed in thick smoke after being hit. Interestingly, these “casinos” more closely resemble fraudulent complexes, as seen by the high surrounding walls creating a confined space. Cambodian military frequently employs these casinos to launch artillery or drones, hinting at a close cooperation between the Cambodian government and fraudulent groups.
Shifting the focus to Cambodia’s actions, video footage captures Cambodian soldiers launching counterattacks from cover, fighting barefoot. The video displays Chinese-made PF-89 80mm recoilless guns and Norinco-produced Type 81 assault rifles in action.
In a nighttime video, Cambodian forces can be seen incessantly firing rockets towards Thailand from what is likely a Czech-made RM-70 rocket launching vehicle. The footage seemed to film from inside the launch vehicle, offering clear audio of the rocket firing cutting through the night sky.
Recent reports suggest that a Cambodian military unit trained with Chinese instructors in mainland China. The weapons shown in this video are predominantly standard equipment of the People’s Liberation Army, such as the Type 95 assault rifle with a 5.8mm caliber, known for its compact build. The soldiers in the video are seen aiming and firing in grassy fields, showcasing the weapon’s model. Their helmets are spherical bulletproof helmets, standard issue in the Chinese army.
In another video, Cambodian and Chinese militaries conducted joint exercises. This exercise likely occurred in May this year, involving Chinese-made artillery in live-fire drills. The Cambodian commander expressed gratitude for the valuable experience and technological lessons learned from these drills, enhancing mutual understanding of each other’s armaments and technologies. Cambodian soldiers are seen operating a variety of light weapons, from mortars and anti-aircraft guns to machine guns, with the video concluding with interviews with Chinese soldiers.
Both Thailand and Cambodia are predominantly Buddhist countries in Southeast Asia, and amidst this conflict, peculiar occurrences emerged. Some Cambodian monks reportedly performed curious rituals on Thai generals, whereas Cambodian generals sought blessings from monks before going to battle, a rare sight indeed.
Currently, there is no sign of a ceasefire in the military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Thailand proposed three ceasefire conditions on December 17. Firstly, Cambodia must immediately and unconditionally halt all aggressions. Secondly, the ceasefire must be genuine and sustained, with no further attacks. Lastly, Cambodia must demonstrate sincerity in clearing landmines.
As it stands, Cambodia has not accepted these stringent ceasefire terms. On December 18, China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs arrived in Cambodia and Thailand, attempting to mediate the border conflict. Both Thailand and Cambodia maintain reasonably friendly relations with China, with Cambodia particularly reliant on China for military imports. The majority of military equipment is sourced from China, and the economy is largely controlled by the Chinese, mainly revolving around fraudulent operations. Notably, near the vital port of Sihanoukville in Cambodia, fraudulent bases operated by Chinese are prevalent. Individuals like Chen Zhi from the Tai Son Group are well-known for their close collaboration with Chinese intelligence agencies. Recent actions by the Cambodian government seem to echo the influence of Chinese intelligence operations. China possesses enough economic and military influence to sway significant decisions of the Cambodian government.
At present, the military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia seems to maintain a relatively low intensity, with Thailand unlikely to escalate ground offensives after securing multiple border military points. How this war will eventually conclude remains a subject of ongoing interest.
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