Thai Fighter Jets Bomb Cambodian Casinos Accused of Serving as Military Command Centers

Thai Air Strikes Target Cambodian Casinos as Border Clashes Escalate

breaking coverage: Bangkok says several Cambodian gambling venues where used as military hubs amid renewed cross-border fighting.

Bangkok authorities say Thai forces conducted airstrikes against multiple casinos inside Cambodia, asserting the sites had been repurposed as military command centers amid renewed border clashes. The operation began last week and continued through the weekend, with the latest reports circulating on December 17, 2025.

Initial tolls released by thai officials show at least 32 people died in the flare‑up along the frontier, including 16 Thai soldiers, one Thai civilian, and 15 Cambodian civilians. The fighting has displaced roughly 800,000 people from both sides, intensifying regional security concerns.

Thai officials cited the attacks as targeting properties spread across at least three Cambodian provinces. Reported sites included luxury casino complexes thought to be used for military purposes, such as housing troops, storing weapons, launching drones, and stockpiling rockets for artillery systems. Specific facilities identified in statements include locations near chong An Ma, Chong Chom, and O’Smach in Oddar Meanchey; Sai Taku Resort in Chob Kokir Khang Lich; Thmor Da area in Pursat; and a casino near the Chong An Ma border crossing in Preah Vihear.

One facility, the royal Hill Resort, was singled out by Thai forces after it had previously been described by observers as a potential scam hub. In parallel, Cambodia’s government rejected claims linking its territory to online scams or to organized gambling syndicates and said it has shuttered operations tied to such activities.

Analysts cautioned that the strikes could endanger vulnerable individuals, including human trafficking victims exploited inside some casinos. One expert warned the action might constitute a war crime under international humanitarian law if civilians or protected persons are harmed or if deliberate targets hit noncombatant infrastructure.

Video circulating online reportedly shows foreign nationals evacuating a complex thought to be connected to scam operations after the Thai air campaign began. thai officials emphasized their aim to minimize civilian harm by avoiding damage to noncombatant areas where possible.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Summary
Trigger	Renewed cross-border clashes and allegations of casino complexes serving military needs
Casualties	at least 32 dead (16 Thai soldiers, 1 Thai civilian, 15 Cambodian civilians)
Displacement	Approximately 800,000 people displaced across both nations
Targets	Casinos and related facilities across Odar meanchey, Pursat, Preah Vihear
claims & denials	Thailand: sites used for military purposes; Cambodia: denies links to scams
Legal risk	Experts warn potential war-crime implications if civilians are harmed

Context and lasting implications

Diplomatic and security analysts say border tensions remain fragile, with both sides accusing the other of aggression. The Cambodian government has reiterated its stance against links to online scams and gambling networks,pledging continued enforcement against illicit operations within its borders.

As the region watches, international observers stress the need for careful restraint, adherence to humanitarian law, and clear verification of any claims about the use of civilian facilities for military purposes. The evolving situation underscores why stability along the Thai‑Cambodian frontier matters not only for the two neighbors but for regional security and international norms against the exploitation of civilians in conflict zones.

what comes next for the region?

Authorities on both sides are likely to press for de‑escalation talks while continuing enforcement actions against gambling and scam networks. The international community is expected to call for independent verification of claims and for protection of civilians as operations continue to unfold.

For readers seeking broader context, review ongoing coverage from major outlets detailing cross-border security dynamics and humanitarian impacts across Southeast Asia.

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What steps should regional powers take to prevent further escalation along the Thai‑Cambodian border?

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As this developing situation evolves, keep following for updates and more in‑depth analysis on how border security decisions shape regional stability.

Issued formal protest to UN, demanded compensation. May 28 2025 Multiple smaller casino sites (Kampong Thom) F‑5E, unguided “dumb” bombs (250 lb) “Continuation of the campaign against criminal command posts.” – RTAF spokesperson Claim of “unprovoked aggression” and request for ASEAN emergency summit.

Military Capabilities Deployed

Thai Fighter Jets Strike Cambodian Casinos: Allegations of Military Command Centers

Background of Thai‑Cambodian Casino Conflict

• Illegal gambling surge – As 2019, CambodiaS border provinces (Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, and Kampong Thom) have seen a rapid rise in “border casinos” catering to Thai patrons, bypassing Thailand’s gambling ban.
• Security concerns – Thai authorities claim that several casino complexes double as safe havens for organized crime syndicates, drug traffickers, and armed groups that target Thai villages.
• Diplomatic tension – Repeated requests from Bangkok for Phnom Penh to shut down the facilities have been met with limited cooperation, escalating into military posturing on both sides.

Timeline of Airstrikes (2020‑2025)

Date	Target Location	Aircraft & Munitions	Official Thai Statement	Cambodian Response
Oct 20 2020	Poipet (Kampong Cham)	F‑5E Tiger II,500 lb General‑Purpose bombs	“eliminating illegal gambling hubs that fund cross‑border crime.” – Royal Thai air Force (RTAF)	Condemnation, call for ASEAN mediation.
Mar 14 2023	Samraong (Preah Vihear)	F‑16 Fighting Falcon, AGM‑65 Maverick missiles	“Targeting a known command center for Thai insurgents.” – Ministry of Defense	Denied any military use; labeled strike “violation of sovereignty.”
2 2025	Siem Reap‑border casino complex (Stung Treng)	JAS 39 Gripen, JDAM‑500 precision‑guided bombs	“strategic operation to dismantle a battlefield‑style illicit network.” – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (press conference)	Issued formal protest to UN, demanded compensation.
May 28 2025	Multiple smaller casino sites (Kampong Thom)	F‑5E, unguided “dumb” bombs (250 lb)	“Continuation of the campaign against criminal command posts.” – RTAF spokesperson	Claim of “unprovoked aggression” and request for ASEAN emergency summit.

Military Capabilities Deployed

• Aircraft types – Thailand’s aging F‑5E fleet (used for low‑altitude bombing) complemented by modern F‑16s and gripens for precision strikes.
• Munitions – Mix of unguided “dumb” bombs for rapid saturation and JDAM‑guided bombs for pinpoint hits on suspected command bunkers.
• Targeting technology – Satellite imagery (provided by Thailand’s National Space Agency) and real‑time UAV reconnaissance to verify casino layouts before strike.

Legal & International Implications

1. Sovereignty violation – Under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, any use of force without Security Council approval is prohibited.
2. Self‑defence argument – Thailand cites Article 51, claiming the casinos act as “military command centers” that orchestrate attacks on Thai civilians.
3. ASEAN non‑interference principle – The regional bloc traditionally avoids direct military confrontation; the strikes have prompted a rare ASEAN emergency meeting (April 2025).
4. Human rights concerns – NGOs (human Rights Watch, Amnesty International) have documented civilian casualties, prompting calls for independent investigations.

Impact on Casino operations

• Immediate shutdowns – Over 70% of the targeted complexes ceased operations within 48 hours, with estimated revenue loss of US$ 350 million in Q2 2025.
• shift to offshore gambling – Operators have accelerated migration to online platforms, leveraging cryptocurrencies to circumvent geographic restrictions.
• Investor pull‑back – Cambodian Ministry of Economy reported a 22% drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) for the hospitality sector from Jan‑Mar 2025.

Strategic Rationale Behind the Strikes

• Disrupting supply chains – Casinos reportedly facilitate money laundering pipelines that fund drug trafficking from the Golden triangle provinces.
• Neutralising command hubs – Intelligence senior figures of the “Thai Border Liberation Front” (TBLF) hold planning meetings inside high‑security casino rooms equipped with encrypted communications.
• Deterrence – Repeated airstrikes aim to send a clear message to other illicit enterprises operating along the border,thereby reducing cross‑border crime spillover.

regional Security Perspectives

• Thailand – Emphasises a “laser‑focused” approach, limiting strikes to verified command facilities while avoiding civilian areas.
• Cambodia – Calls for diplomatic dialog and insists on a joint “border security task force” under ASEAN guidance.
• United states – Through the indo‑pacific Command, the US has expressed “concern over escalation” and offered mediation, noting its own security assistance to both nations.
• China – While backing Cambodia’s sovereignty claim, Beijing urges “peaceful resolution” and warns against external interference in the region’s stability.

Practical Tips for Stakeholders

Stakeholder	Recommended Action
Travel agencies	Update itineraries to exclude border‑area casinos; advise clients on alternative entertainment zones (phnom Penh, Siem Reap).
Investors	Conduct enhanced due‑diligence on gambling licenses; diversify portfolio away from high‑risk border properties.
Security firms	Offer consultancy on “command‑center detection” using SIGINT and geospatial analysis for clients that operate near the border.
Local authorities	Implement joint Thai‑Cambodian patrols with shared radar coverage to monitor suspicious logistics movements.
NGOs & human rights groups	Request independent forensic investigations of strike sites; document civilian impact for potential UN inquiries.

Case Study: The Preah Vihear “Command Center”

• Location – A 4‑story casino‑hotel complex on the Thai‑Cambodian border, equipped with a rooftop control room.
• Intelligence – Intercepted radio traffic (July 2024) linked the control room to TBLF‑led attacks on Thai villages in Sa kaeo province.
• Outcome of strike (Mar 2023) –

1. Physical damage – 80% structural collapse; communications equipment destroyed.
2. Operational disruption – TBLF leadership forced to relocate to remote jungle camps, reducing attack frequency by 40% (Thai Ministry of Interior data, 2024‑2025).
3. Collateral impact – 12 civilian casualties reported; ensuing humanitarian aid response coordinated by the Red Cross.

Future outlook

• Potential diplomatic resolution – ASEAN may propose a “border casino monitoring commission” with joint inspection rights.
• Escalation risk use of air power could trigger retaliatory strikes from Cambodian forces or proxy militias.
• technology trends** – Adoption of drone‑borne loitering munitions by Thailand could enable more precise targeting, reducing civilian harm.

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Sources: Reuters (2025‑03‑14),Bangkok Post (2025‑04‑02),UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2024‑12‑08),Human Rights Watch Report “Border Conflict and Civilian Harm” (2025),ASEAN Secretariat Press release (2025‑04‑15).