PHNOM PENH/BANGKOK - Thai Defense Ministry said Wednesday that the ongoing border clashes with Cambodia had forced over 400,000 Thai residents across seven provinces to evacuate.

The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties.

Thailand's 2nd Army Area Command stated on social media that, beginning at 5:00 am local time Wednesday, exchanges of fire occurred in multiple areas along the border in Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, with no casualties reported so far.

The statement added that at around 8:40 am local time, BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed near a hospital in Surin province, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff to shelters.

According to Thai media, fresh border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have forced over 800 schools and many hospitals to temporarily close in Thailand's border provinces.

ALSO READ: China calls on Cambodia, Thailand to exercise restraint to prevent escalation

Meanwhile, more than 100,000 Cambodian villagers have fled their homes for safe zones, Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said on Wednesday.

The total number of displaced people is 101,129, including infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities, Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said in a press briefing.

She said the Thai army had used heavy and destructive weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, to attack Cambodian military positions and civilian areas from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning.

At least seven Cambodian civilians were killed and 20 others wounded in this conflict, according to Socheata.

Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport said on Tuesday that a total of 514 schools in border provinces have been shut down.

"As of Dec 9, 2025, 514 schools have closed, affecting approximately 130,000 students and 4,650 teachers," the ministry said in a press release.

The main affected provinces are Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Banteay Meanchey, according to the press release.

Four Thai soldiers killed

Thai Army said four Thai soldiers were killed and 68 others wounded on Tuesday. According to a statement released by Thailand's Second Army Area, the fighting widely expanded and intensified, with Cambodian forces launching "heavy attacks" against the Thai side.

The Cambodian attacks involved approximately 125 times of BM-21 multiple-rocket launcher strikes with around 5,000 rockets and 33 suicide drones targeting Thai bases and defensive positions across several fronts, the Thai military said.

The Thai Army said it responded with "direct-fire weapons, indirect-fire weapons, tanks and attack aircraft continuously striking designated targets".

ALSO READ: 2 more Thai soldiers killed as Cambodia launches counterattack against Thai forces

The Second Army Area also noted that it will continue to implement all necessary measures to maintain security and safeguard Thailand's sovereignty to the fullest extent. 

Cambodian athletes quit ongoing multisport event in Thailand

In another development, a contingent of Cambodian athletes has abruptly withdrawn from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games currently underway in Thailand, citing safety concerns from their families back home amid escalating border tensions, Thai media reported on Wednesday.

According to Thai online news outlet Khaosod, Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, has notified the SEA Games Federation that Cambodia has decided to withdraw from the current SEA Games due to the ongoing tense situation along the Thailand-Cambodia border.

Vath Chamroeun stated that families of the athletes are concerned that further escalation of the situation may jeopardize the athletes' safe return home. Therefore, Cambodia has decided to repatriate its athletes who have already arrived in Thailand for the Games as soon as possible.

The 33rd SEA Games kicked off on Tuesday in Bangkok, and the Cambodian athlete delegation participated in the opening ceremony parade of nations.