Emotional Evacuees Recount Moments They Fled Thailand-Cambodia Fighting

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11 December 2025, 13:55

Thailand Cambodia — Thai residents who fled homes following renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia, rest at an evacuation center in Surin province, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI and SOPHENG CHEANG

SURIN, Thailand (AP) — Amnat Meephew had just enough time to pack up his clothes and flee his home in Thailand a couple of kilometers (miles) from the border with Cambodia, the second time in four months hundreds of thousands of people like him have had to escape fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbors.

“Sometimes when I think about it, I tear up. Why are Thais and Cambodians, who are like siblings, fighting?” the 73-year-old said. “Speaking about it makes me want to cry.”

The latest round of clashes along the disputed border erupted on Monday, derailing a ceasefire pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump that ended the previous clashes in July, which killed dozens in both countries.

Officials in Thailand said Wednesday that about 400,000 people have been evacuated, while Cambodia reported more than 127,000 displaced.

AP25345104315453 — Thai residents who fled homes following renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia, rest at an evacuation center in Surin province, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Unlike during the first round of fighting in July, many Thai evacuees in northeastern Surin province said they left before hearing the sound of fire following early evacuation warnings from local leaders, triggered by a brief skirmish at the Cambodian border on Sunday.

“I could only bring my clothes,” Amnat said. “I even forgot to lock my doors when I left.”

Many took shelter in university halls, sitting or lying on thin mats or in tents erected within their allotted space. Music played to help relieve stress. Health officials checked on evacuees, while volunteers organized activities to entertain children.

Thidarat Homhual also received a warning on Sunday to leave her home about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border. She teared up as she spoke about the pets she had to leave behind. Her stay in a gymnasium with more than 500 others has been far from comfortable, but she said meals are provided, and support from officials and volunteers helped her cope.

AP25344112342425 — Thai residents who fled homes following the clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers, rest at an evacuation center in Surin province, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

“Maybe because this isn’t the first time we’ve lived through something like this, I believe many of us can adapt. Although no one wants to adjust to living like this, I’ll just go with the flow. Otherwise, it would be too stressful,” she said.

Cambodians take shelter in open fields

Across the border in Cambodia, life for evacuees has taken on a rugged rhythm. Many said they left in a hurry after hearing shots on Monday, seeking refuge mostly in an open field.

They erected tents or improvised shelters stitched together with tarps, anchored to the backs of trucks to shield themselves from the wind. People huddled for conversation, meals or sleep. Smoke drifted from small coal stoves where families cooked simple dishes, while others went fishing in a nearby pond to supplement their food.

Loueng Soth arrived at a roadside area in the Cambodian town of Srei Snam with her seven family members. She said conditions have been difficult, and she was praying for the fighting to end as soon as possible.

AP25345234175123 — A woman plays with a dog as she takes refuge at Chonkal district in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, after fleeing from home following a fighting between Thailand and Cambodia over territorial claims. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

“I don’t want to stay here and sleep on the ground as I do now,” she said. “I want the war to end so I can return to my home.”

With cool-season temperatures dropping, the chilling winds have made life in the same field even harder for Thai Chea, who on Monday fled his home just a few hundred meters (feet) from the battleground. At the shelter where he is staying, people donned sweaters and gathered around cooking stoves in the early morning to keep warm.

But there is still no sign of when evacuees can return home, as leaders on neither side appear willing to back down.

“I want the war to end as soon as possible, so that I can go back to my home to do my farming work and take care of my dogs and chickens. They are at home with no one looking after them,” Thai Chea said.

AP25344281701474 — A woman, left, walks as she takes refuge at Batthkoa primary school in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, after fleeing from home following a fighting between Thailand and Cambodia over territorial claims. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

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Sopheng Cheang reported from Srei Snam, Cambodia.

The Fig Lobby Bangkok Turns Rooftop Into Wellness-Nightlife Hub

By

CHAYAPON PONLAWAT freelance reporter

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11 December 2025, 08:16

Fig Lobby4 — The Fig Lobby Bangkok, an art-centric hotel entering its third year, has unveiled the "Three Peas Rooftop Block Party," a destination centered on a unique mantra: POWER. PLUNGE. PARTY.

BANGKOK — A hotel rooftop overlooking the bustling Khlong Toei district is rewriting the rulebook for a night out in Bangkok, transforming the typical sundowner view into a high-energy fusion of fitness, cold-plunge wellness, and nightlife.

The Fig Lobby Bangkok, an art-centric hotel entering its third year, has unveiled the “Three Peas Rooftop Block Party,” a destination centered on a unique mantra: POWER. PLUNGE. PARTY. The concept moves beyond the traditional gym or cocktail bar, inviting guests and city residents to engage in a full evening ritual of movement, recovery, and celebration.

Power: The Workout Warm-up

The experience begins with POWER, targeting a growing Bangkok clientele seeking non-intimidating fitness. Classes are held on the sixth-floor deck, utilizing the city skyline and evening breeze as a backdrop. Offerings include Groovy Yoga Flow and Native Cycle spin sessions, designed to make exercise a vibrant precursor to the evening rather than a standalone chore.

“Working out feels less like a chore and more like part of the night’s ritual here,” a hotel representative noted, describing a scene marked by neon accents and upbeat playlists.

Plunge: The Icy Reset

Following the intense POWER segment is PLUNGE, capitalizing on the global trend of cold-water therapy. The hotel partnered with The Ice House, a local ice-bath community, to bring guided cold plunging to the rooftop.

Post-workout, guests utilize 0°C plunge tubs for a sharp, mood-boosting reset. The experience is managed by experts, complemented by a hot pool and a glass-walled sauna, allowing for a structured recovery against a sunset view of the city. While initially intimidating, the ice bath is positioned as an “oddly addictive” way to ease sore muscles and promote clarity.

Party: The Rooftop Shift

As the sun sets and temperatures cool, the rooftop shifts seamlessly into PARTY mode. The wellness equipment gives way to a creative, social atmosphere featuring live DJs, bands, and a Caribbean-inspired vibe.

The Amalaki Lounge provides relaxation with electric massage chairs, while scattered art corners encourage social interaction and spontaneous reflection. The transition completes the night, turning the space into a community hub where fitness enthusiasts, travelers, and locals converge.

The Fig Lobby frames the offering as “lifestyle tourism” — a sustainable and human-centric approach that provides a complete escape from Bangkok’s notorious pace without requiring guests to leave the city center.

The Three Peas Rooftop Block Party offers one of the city’s most immersive new lifestyle experiences, combining fitness, wellness, and nightlife into a singular destination above the Khlong Toei Market area.

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Thai-Cambodian Border Clashes Threaten Tourism During Peak Season

By

Khaosod English

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11 December 2025, 00:04

trat tourism — Trat Province attracts large numbers of foreign tourists to Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood during the year-end period, but the new round of Thai-Cambodian fighting that began on Dec. 7 threatens to impact tourism during this high season.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s tourism industry is bracing for economic fallout as renewed fighting with Cambodia disrupts the country’s crucial high season, with businesses warning of mounting losses and foreign governments issuing travel alerts.

The border conflict has forced the closure of key trade checkpoints and prompted evacuation of residents in frontier districts, raising concerns about both immediate tourism revenue and longer-term investment confidence.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has rejected negotiations with Cambodia, drawing praise from nationalist groups but alarm from the business community as the violence escalates during what should be the industry’s most profitable period.

“The flooding and the clashes are happening during the high season, which may affect tourists’ decisions to travel to Thailand,” said Dr. Phiphat Luengnaruemitchai, chief economist at Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group.

cambodian workers sakaeo — Hundreds of Cambodians from Rong Kluea Market on the Aranyaprathet side in Sa Kaeo Province and other areas carry their belongings as they wait to cross through the Ban Khlong Luek permanent border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo Province amid intensifying clashes between the two countries on Dec. 10, 2025.

Cambodia accounts for 2-3% of Thailand’s total exports, with roughly 70% moving through land borders now shuttered by the conflict. The Kasikorn Research Center estimates the fighting could reduce GDP by 0.4% if it extends into 2026.

Border provinces face the most severe impact. In Trat Province, where three popular resort islands had reached 90% occupancy for December, operators report foreign tourists questioning their safety after the United States issued a travel alert for areas within 50 kilometers of the border.

trat tourism02 — Tourists board a passenger ferry between Koh Chang and Koh Kood in Trat Province before the outbreak of the new round of Thai-Cambodian border clashes that began on Dec. 7, 2025.

“We have to wait until around December 20 to gauge the real impact on cancellations,” said Saksit Mungkarn, adviser to the Trat Tourism Industry Council. The Tourism Authority of Thailand projected December revenue of 4.89 billion baht ($140 million) for the province’s islands alone.

The northeastern border region faces additional strain as small businesses that stocked inventory for New Year celebrations now worry about losses if fighting continues, according to Somchat Pongkapanakrai, chairman of the Northeastern Chamber of Commerce.

Relief measures proposed for the seven border provinces, including tax reductions and tourism stimulus, remain unimplemented after stalling during Thailand’s recent government transition and flooding crisis.

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Thai Immigration Moves Against Chinese Ringleaders in Mae Sot Riot

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Khaosod English

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10 December 2025, 22:34

chinese prison1 — Immigration officers and armed security personnel transfer detainees into a transport vehicle following a riot at the Tak Immigration Detention Center in Mae Sot, Tak province, late on Dec. 9, 2025.

MAE SOT — Thai immigration authorities have filed criminal charges against 15 Chinese nationals accused of leading a riot at an immigration detention center in Tak province late Tuesday, officials said.

The disturbance erupted among a group of 325 Chinese migrants being held at the facility in Mae Sot while awaiting deportation, according to the Immigration Bureau. The group had fled Myanmar during a crackdown on scam centers and illegally crossed into Thailand before being detained.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee, spokesman for the Immigration Bureau, said the unrest began around 11:20 p.m. on December 9, when a fight broke out among detainees inside the controlled area. The conflict escalated after several detainees incited others to break the metal bars of the holding room using their bare hands and personal items.

chinese prison2 — Immigration officers and armed security personnel transfer detainees into a transport vehicle following a riot at the Tak Immigration Detention Center in Mae Sot, Tak province, late on Dec. 9, 2025.

Authorities initially deployed interpreters to negotiate, but the situation worsened when detainees destroyed an inner door and smashed CCTV cameras to obstruct monitoring. Fearing the incident would spiral further, officials cut electricity to the building and used water hoses to suppress the riot.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarawut Khonyai, commander of Immigration Division 5, ordered local immigration officers to coordinate with security agencies and prepare fire engines and water equipment at the scene as a precaution.

The situation was brought under control by 4:30 a.m. on December 10, when all detainees surrendered. One man, identified as Qian Yuxiang, suffered multiple head lacerations from the initial fight and was taken to Mae Sot Hospital for treatment.

chinese prison3 — Immigration officers and armed security personnel transfer detainees into a transport vehicle following a riot at the Tak Immigration Detention Center in Mae Sot, Tak province, late on Dec. 9, 2025.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyaluck, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, has instructed officers to fully investigate those responsible and pursue charges without leniency, citing the severity of destroying government property. Authorities have also ordered that key instigators be separated and held in higher-security detention cells, with support from local police stations in Tak.

The 15 alleged ringleaders have been charged with causing damage to property, an offense carrying up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both. Officials said additional charges will be filed if further assaults or property damage are confirmed. Immigration officers have also recorded biometric data of all detainees for future blacklisting.

The riot came days after Chinese authorities dispatched six charter flights between December 1–4 to repatriate 1,208 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in scam operations after crossing from Myanmar into Mae Sot.

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Renewed Thailand-Cambodia Border Fighting Displaces Hundreds of Thousands

By

Associated Press

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10 December 2025, 16:59

By JERRY HARMER and JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

SURIN, Thailand (AP) — Renewed border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia showed no signs of abating Wednesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced people in both countries living in strained conditions as more flooded into temporary shelters.

Associated Press reporters on the Thai side of the border heard sounds of outgoing, indirect fire Wednesday.

About 400,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Thailand and around 700 schools closed while fighting was ongoing in four border provinces, Thai military spokesperson Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri said Wednesday.

Cambodia evacuated more than 127,000 villagers and hundreds of schools closed, the defense ministry said.

Thailand’s military announced that casualties this week include five soldiers killed and dozens wounded. Cambodia said seven civilians died and 20 others were wounded, though it did not update those figures on Wednesday.

AP25344262153285 — An wounded Thai soldier is carried to be transferred to a hospital, in Surin province, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, following clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

There is not yet a clear path to peace as Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to continue to fight and Cambodia’s powerful Senate President Hun Sen promised a fierce response.

A knock-on effect of the fighting and bad blood between the nations was Cambodia’s withdrawal of its entire team from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, which began Tuesday in Thailand. A Wednesday announcement from the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia said it regretted the action but the families of competitors were concerned about their safety.

Trump says he will return sides to peace

The new, widespread fighting followed a skirmish Sunday that wounded two Thai soldiers and derailed a ceasefire pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump that ended armed combat in July.

The five days of fighting over territorial disputes left dozens dead on both sides and forced the evacuation of thousands of civilians. The ceasefire was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges from the two nations unless they agreed.

Late Tuesday at a Pennsylvania political event, Trump said he would use his sway to end the renewed combat.

“Tomorrow I’ll have to make a phone call,” Trump said. “Who else could say, ‘I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war between two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia?’”

AP25344112489905 — Thai residents who fled homes following the clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers, rest at an evacuation center in Surin province, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier called on the two sides to live up to the commitments made at an October meeting in Malaysia that reaffirmed the July ceasefire and called for removing heavy weapons from the border, coordinating removal of land mines and other steps.

Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Wednesday that there had not yet been any contact with the United States on the matter. He added that Thailand will not likely accept if another third party proposes to mediate since “the line has been crossed.”

The ceasefire was fragile from the start as both nations carried on a bitter propaganda war and minor incidents of cross-border violence continued.

Thailand deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets, while Cambodia’s most fearsome weapons are BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of roughly 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles). They are capable of firing salvos of 40 rockets at a time and mounted on trucks, making them less vulnerable to attack.

A Thai army statement said Cambodia on Tuesday launched approximately 125 salvos from BM-21 launchers totaling about 5,000 rockets and that some had hit civilian areas, though no casualties were reported.

AP25344079569104 — A Cambodian military vehicle drives past an evacuee’s tractor in Srey Snam, Siem Reap province, Cambodia Wednesday morning, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Shelters provide safe haven but concerns remain

Away from the battlefronts, anxious evacuees are the most visible sign of the crisis.

In a gymnasium in the northeastern Thai city of Surin, around 550 people are waiting out the combat, many having hurriedly fled after the first shots were fired Sunday.

Officials have provided food and diversions for children. The cooler, winter temperatures have kept the situation in the shelter bearable, but there is inevitable boredom and concern about what they left behind including homes, valuables and animals.

Thidarat Homhual, a 37-year-old farmer in the shelter with her family, said her mind is on cows, ducks, four dogs and nine cats left to fend for themselves.

“We are behind the front line. We can live like this. It’s OK,” she said. “But I want it to be over. I miss my pets. I really miss my pets, all the animals at home. I can’t really put it into words.”

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Sopheng Cheang in Srei Snam, Cambodia, Wasamon Audjarint in Bangkok and Matthew Lee and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.

Two Russians Held in AI and QR Code–Based Drug Scheme in Bangkok

By

Khaosod English

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10 December 2025, 15:18

russian AI drugs1 — Thai police arrest two Russian suspects linked to an AI-driven drug distribution network during coordinated raids in Bangkok on Dec. 9, 2025.

BANGKOK — Thai police arrested two Russian men who allegedly used artificial intelligence and QR codes to run a scavenger hunt–style drug distribution network across central Bangkok, officials said Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau said the suspects placed Russian-language QR code stickers around Pathumwan, Lumphini and Yannawa districts, directing buyers to an AI-operated Telegram channel that handled orders, payments and drop-off locations without any human contact.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradej Thumsutee, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said investigators used their own AI tools to trace the network, which functioned like a start-up model and relied on automation to avoid detection. Officers arrested the two Russians on December 9.

Police identified the suspects as Ivan, 34, who was detained at a hotel on Inthamara 47 in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district, and Mark, 35, who was arrested at a hotel in Soi Ekkamai 10 in Watthana district.

Ivan was charged with illegally advertising controlled narcotics and possessing Category 5 drugs, including cannabis extracts. Mark was charged with illegal possession of Category 5 drugs and overstaying his visa.

Authorities seized 10 categories of evidence, including 200,000 baht ($6,285) in cash, a gray Toyota Granvia van, two MacBook Pro laptops, seven mobile phones, 20 storage devices, bankbooks, cannabis buds in 41 bags, 25 jars of cannabis resin, cannabis seeds, grinders and related equipment.

The investigation began on November 13 after an online patrol team saw a warning on the Facebook page Drama-addict about QR code stickers offering drugs for sale in Russian. Officers later found the stickers in multiple Bangkok districts.

The stickers read “Thai hub Telegram COCAINE KETAMINE MEPH METH MDMA.” Scanning the code led buyers to Telegram, where an AI bot operated around the clock, police said. The bot processed cryptocurrency payments in real time and, once funds were confirmed, sent coordinates and photos of drug stash points located across the country, mimicking a treasure hunt.

The system also encouraged buyers to become “partners” by referring new customers or serving as couriers tasked by the AI to hide drugs at specified locations. Police said the group even offered an API that allowed tech-savvy users to build their own storefronts linked to the bot, enabling the network to expand rapidly while keeping its operators anonymous.

russian AI frugs3 — A Russian suspect is seen placing a QR code sticker advertising illegal drugs on a lamp post in Bangkok, according to police.

Investigators spent weeks tracking the suspects, eventually locating one of them in Pattaya digging and hiding drugs, Teeradej said.

On December 9 at about noon, officers launched simultaneous operations in Bangkok to prevent the suspects from locking their phones. Mark was arrested with his Telegram app still open on his device, while Ivan was apprehended hours later with his laptop displaying the same platform.

Mark denied involvement in drug trafficking, admitting only that he had overstayed his visa. He told police he had medical permission to use cannabis and claimed to have a license to sell it through a company. He said the large quantities of items found in his van were unrelated, claiming he carried a rice cooker for personal use and kept cat litter in the car despite not owning a cat.

Ivan denied all allegations except acknowledging he had previously met Mark. He said a photo showing him wearing a cap similar to that seen on the offender was a coincidence.

Teeradej said police will continue expanding the investigation in coordination with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

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ASEAN & UNFPA Launch “No Means No. Online Too.” Campaign Against Online GBV

By

Mc Marketing

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10 December 2025, 14:22

ASEAN and UNFPA Unite to Confront Online Gender-Based Violence with Regional Campaign “No Means No. Online Too.”

BANGKOK, 3 December 2025 – ASEAN today launches a regional effort to curb the rapid rise of online gender-based violence (online GBV) across Southeast Asia. Led by the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), under the leadership of Lao PDR and Thailand, together with the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW)-Thailand and the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Campaign Against Online Gender-Based Violence: “A Collective Call to Action—No Means No. Online Too” seeks to strengthen awareness and spark collective action against digital forms of abuse.

The launch coincides with the 16 Days of Activism, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia-Pacific Regional Office. More than 150 representatives from governments, regional bodies, youth groups, civil society, academia, the private sector, and digital safety advocates gather to spotlight the urgent need for coordinated responses to online violence.

Online GBV, including cyber-harassment, online stalking, gendered disinformation, non-consensual image sharing, and digital coercion, is increasingly affecting women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals across ASEAN at alarming levels. Research indicates that 16–58% of women experience online GBV, while 85% have witnessed such incidents. These acts cause psychological, emotional, social, and economic harm, mirroring patterns of offline violence.

Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, Thailand’s Representative to ACWC for Women’s Rights and a co-champion of the campaign, highlights that the initiative emerges from years of evidence-building and consultation, including an ASEAN-level consultation held in Bangkok in October 2024 with UNFPA support. The consultation brought together stakeholders to assess rising threats and co-design communication strategies.

Today’s launch also serves as Thailand’s national kick-off, showing how a regional effort can be adapted locally using Thai-language campaign materials. Dr. Ratchada notes that aligning the regional launch, national adaptation, and earlier consultation helps reinforce links among digital safety, disability inclusion, youth engagement, and cross-sector collaboration during the 16 Days of Activism.

“Thailand is proud to stand with ASEAN in moving this message forward. Localizing the campaign ensures our communities and young people feel empowered to speak up and act against online harm,” Dr. Ratchada states.

Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of Office, UNFPA Thailand, emphasizes that the campaign offers practical tools, such as videos, social media assets, and visual materials in English and national languages, to help Member States promote digital safety, increase public awareness, and support survivors seeking help. The campaign also underscores the importance of responsible online behavior, bystander intervention, and cooperation across government and non-government sectors.

Ms. Siriluck notes that online violence is real-life violence, with long-term impacts on physical and mental health, as well as victims’ property. Addressing online violence remains a challenge for many ASEAN countries, requiring stronger coordination among communication, technology, law enforcement, public health, and social services agencies.

“Violence against women and girls can be prevented, both online and offline. When all sectors work together, invest in effective approaches, and prioritize survivor-centered responses, tangible progress is possible in creating safe communities for everyone, especially women and girls,” Ms. Siriluck says.

The campaign reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering digital environments for all women and girls. It also reflects UNFPA’s continued support for regional cooperation, policy dialogue, and survivor-centered responses to both online and offline violence.

Cambodia Withdraws Entire Team From Thailand SEA Games Citing Border Fighting

By

Khaosod English

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10 December 2025, 12:26

BANGKOK — Cambodia has pulled all of its athletes from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, officials said Wednesday, as intensified fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border raised safety concerns among athletes’ families.

Chaiyapak Siriwat, chief executive officer of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, said Cambodia informed organizers early Wednesday that it would withdraw from every event. He said the 30 Cambodian athletes who took part in Tuesday’s opening ceremony were deeply appreciative of Thailand’s reception, but a sudden escalation along the frontier prompted Cambodian officials to recall the team.

“At about 2 a.m. on December 10, Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, told us they needed to withdraw due to warnings from senior Cambodian authorities about worsening border conditions and fears the situation could spread,” Chaiyapak said.

cambodia seagames2 — An official withdrawal letter from the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia informs Thai organizers that the entire Cambodian delegation is pulling out of the 33rd SEA Games due to border security concerns, dated Dec. 10, 2025.

Chamroeun later submitted an official withdrawal letter, stating: “On behalf of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), I regret to inform you that, due to serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes to have their relatives return home immediately, NOCC must withdraw all of our delegation and arrange for their prompt return to Cambodia for safety reasons.”

The letter expressed gratitude for the “hospitality, warmth, and spirit of sportsmanship” shown by Thai organizers, and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the delegation’s early departure.

cambodia seagames3 — Cambodian athletes participate in the flag-raising ceremony at the Indoor Stadium Huamark, Bangkok, on Dec.8, 2025. (KHAOSOD Photo/Todsaporn Lohkhunceam)

Border clashes first erupted in July and have increasingly weighed on Thailand’s preparations as host nation, as well as Cambodia’s participation. Cambodia had initially planned to send athletes in every sport, but gradually reduced the delegation to 12 sports.

A total of 137 athletes and staff ultimately traveled to Thailand, including the 30 who marched in the opening ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium to applause comparable to that of other nations.

The withdrawal reduces the number of participating countries from 11 to 10 for the December 9–20 games, which feature 11,063 athletes competing in 42 sports. Although host cities Bangkok and Chonburi are far from the fighting, the decision has dampened hopes that the Games would serve as a platform for regional peace and unity.

Trump’s Peace Deal at Risk as Fighting Surges at Cambodia-Thailand Border

By

Associated Press

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10 December 2025, 11:28

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least two of several agreements, in Congo and at Cambodia-Thailand border, aimed at ending global conflicts that President Donald Trump has hailed as evidence of his negotiating prowess are in trouble and at risk of collapsing.

Less than a week after Congo and Rwanda signed a deal in Trump’s presence in Washington that was meant to halt fighting in eastern Congo, and less than two months after he witnessed Cambodia and Thailand sign a ceasefire pact in Malaysia to end their border conflict, fighting has surged in both places.

The developments have caused international alarm, which on Tuesday resulted in urgent calls to halt the renewed violence from countries involved in the African Great Lakes region and from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In each case, the statements urged the combatants to live up to their commitments in the deals that Trump has touted in part as the rationale for casting himself as the “president of peace.”

Trump late Tuesday expressed confidence that once again he could end the fighting between Cambodia and Thailand.

“Tomorrow I’ll have to make a phone call,” Trump said at a rally in Pennsylvania. “Who else could say, ‘I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia?’”

Trump administration calls for halt to violence on Thai-Cambodian border

In a separate statement, Rubio said the U.S. is concerned by an uptick in fighting between Cambodia and Thailand along their contested border, just over a month after the two countries signed an agreement in Malaysia that was pushed for by Trump.

“We strongly urge the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the deescalatory measures outlined in the Oct. 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords,” Rubio said in a statement.

The Cambodia-Thailand deal has been faltering for weeks, but it took a big hit when fighting broke out following a weekend skirmish in which two Thai soldiers were injured. Five days of fighting since has left dozens dead on both sides and forced the evacuation of over 100,000 civilians.

A senior Trump administration official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the president expected Thailand and Cambodia, as well as Rwanda and Congo, to “honor their commitments” to halt the violence. The official says the administration is monitoring the situation in Congo closely and that Trump has told both sides he is expecting “immediate results.”

Trump has repeatedly cited seven or eight agreements, including these two, as proof of his success in ending conflicts, although another one — an internationally endorsed plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza — is still not finalized and in limbo, with sporadic fighting continuing while a critical second phase remains a work in progress.

His efforts to halt the fighting between Russia and Ukraine have so far proven unsuccessful. Other deals Trump has been involved with and claimed as successes include those between India and Pakistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Israel and Iran, Kosovo and Serbia, and Egypt and Ethiopia.

Miss Jamaica Universe Heads Home After Month in Bangkok ICU

By

Khaosod English

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10 December 2025, 02:58

BANGKOK — The Miss Universe Organization and the family of Dr. Gabrielle Henry, Miss Jamaica Universe 2025, have shared a heartfelt update on her recovery following a serious on-stage accident last month.

The statement, released on Monday, detailed the extent of Dr. Henry’s injuries, noting that her fall caused “an intracranial haemorrhage with loss of consciousness, a fracture, facial lacerations and other significant injuries.”

The accident occurred during the evening gown presentation in the preliminary round of Miss Universe 2025 on November 19, when Henry fell from the stage at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani near Bangkok. She was immediately rushed to a hospital in Bangkok.

Nawat Itsaragrisil, chairman of the Miss Universe Thailand Host Committee, said the following day that she was safe and had no broken bones. However, the Jamaican beauty queen did not participate in the final round on November 21 and has required extended treatment in the ICU.

jamaica universe 3 — Gabrielle Henry, Miss Jamaica Universe 2025

On December 8, the Miss Universe Organization and Dr. Henry’s family announced that she continues to receive specialized medical care and will soon return to Jamaica under full medical supervision.

“The Organization has provided unwavering support, covering all medical and living expenses and affirming that Dr. Henry holds no responsibility for the incident,” the statement read.

“The Henry family extends their sincere gratitude to Jamaica, the Miss Universe community, and supporters around the world for their continued love, prayers, and encouragement.”

Before competing in Miss Universe, the 28-year-old ophthalmologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston was a dedicated social activist with extensive work in education and healthcare, inspiring youth and young women. She founded the Her See Me Foundation to provide educational and economic opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

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Cambodians take shelter in open fields

Trump says he will return sides to peace

Shelters provide safe haven but concerns remain

Trump administration calls for halt to violence on Thai-Cambodian border

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