Thai Airstrikes Destroy Hotel, Bridge in Pursat Province as Border Clashes Continue
PHNOM PENH — Early Saturday morning, the Royal Thai Air Force conducted airstrikes in Cambodia’s Pursat province, destroying a hotel and a significant bridge amid escalating border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, according to a Cambodian defense ministry statement.
At approximately 5:50 a.m. and 5:55 a.m., Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped bombs that destroyed a hotel in the Tmor Da area near the border. Shortly after, at 6:02 a.m., 6:07 a.m., and 6:12 a.m., additional strikes hit and demolished both Chei Chomnas bridge and its older adjacent span, a key transport route in the region.
The Cambodian defense ministry reported that “Thai forces have not stopped the bombing yet,” underscoring the intensity of strikes despite diplomatic efforts aimed at calming the conflict.
The border dispute between the two nations reignited last week, with both sides trading accusations of initiating the most recent escalation. Notably, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that leaders from Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire effective Friday evening after separate calls with him.
However, on-the-ground reports indicate that combat operations persisted into Saturday morning, raising concerns about civilian safety and infrastructure damage. Independent foreign ministry statements from Phnom Penh described the attacks as violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty, while Bangkok has argued its military actions are defensive responses to continued threats near its border.
Impact and Broader Context
The destruction of the hotel and bridges not only disrupts local travel and commerce but further heightens tensions in a conflict that has already displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and caused casualties on both sides. Observers warn that sustained military actions could deepen instability in the border provinces if diplomatic channels fail to secure a lasting ceasefire
