Civilian Death Toll in Thailand Rises to 16 Amid Continued Border Clashes
BANGKOK – Ongoing border clashes with Cambodia continued throughout Tuesday, with Thai authorities announcing the civilian death toll has now reached 16. While the fighting intensifies, officials report the broader economic impact of the conflict has so far been limited, the Bangkok Post reported.
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Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Defence, stated that Cambodian forces pressed attacks with heavy shelling in several areas, prompting Thai military retaliation. He reported that BM-21 rockets were fired at the strategic Hill 677 and Chong An Ma border pass in Ubon Ratchathani province at 7 a.m., followed by heavy weapons fire at Hill 350 and the Prasat Ta Khwai temple ruins in Surin province at 11 a.m.
“We will not stop retaliating and pushing Cambodian invaders from Thai soil,” Rear Adm Surasant said during a press conference in Bangkok on Tuesday evening, adding that Thailand was observing certain “developments” along the frontier.
The defence spokesman clarified that the 16 civilian deaths recorded between December 7 and 16 were caused directly or indirectly by the hostilities. One person was killed by shrapnel from a Cambodian rocket, while the other 15 fatalities resulted from traffic accidents related to the border clashes or from illnesses exacerbated by an inability to access medical treatment due to the fighting.
⚠️ Border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia escalates since December 7, forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate border areas
💥 More than 31 people are killed on both sides as clashes erupt near Preah Vihear Temple
📍 Cambodia suspends border crossings, Thailand imposes curfews, tensions trace back to long-standing territorial dispute
— Keena (@thisiskeena) December 16, 2025
In a separate economic assessment, the Department of Foreign Trade indicated the conflict has not severely impacted Thailand’s overall exports. Deputy Director-General Duangarthit Nidhi-u-tai reported that despite border crossings with Cambodia being closed since July, export value for the first ten months of the year grew by 13% year-on-year to 9.3 trillion baht. October alone saw exports worth 900 billion baht, a 5.7% increase. Border trade to and through neighbouring countries also rose by 4.7% to 913 billion baht during the same period.
Tourism authorities echoed the sentiment of limited broader disruption. Nithee Sriprae, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated that foreign tourist arrivals remain normal, with no cancellations for major destinations like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi. The TAT maintains its full-year forecast of 32.8 million foreign arrivals. Domestic tourism is also robust, with Thai travellers continuing to visit the North and Northeast, including provinces along the Mekong River and Khao Yai. Mr. Nithee acknowledged that some tourists are avoiding areas of concern, such as Trat province, where reservations were cancelled following heavy fighting.
Regarding Trat, Lieutenant JG Napasakorn Thipso, assistant spokeswoman for the Royal Thai Navy, confirmed a curfew imposed in four districts on Sunday has now been lifted.
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In a related financial move, the cabinet has allocated 2.44 billion baht from the government’s contingency fund to support the army and navy in managing the situation along the eastern border, according to government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat.
-Thailand News (TN)
