BORDER REGION, THAILAND–CAMBODIA – Thailand’s military escalated its long-running border dispute with Cambodia by launching air and artillery strikes on casino complexes alleged to be hubs for kamikaze drone operations.
Military targets five casino complexes
Since clashes on 8 December, five casinos along the frontier had been in the sights of Thai forces, according to the report. Military spokespeople said the strikes were carried out with precision and in self-defence.
Thai security officials accused Cambodian troops of using the sites as operational centres, from which kamikaze drones were allegedly launched and rocket launchers concealed.
“Our goal is to reduce the ability of Cambodian forces to pose a security threat.”
said the official campaign rationale.
Strategic locations under fire
The Chong An Ma casino opposite Ubon Ratchathani was described as a suspected drone control centre and had already been hit by F-16 jets; it was said to have been originally built by a Chinese investor group. The O’Smach casino opposite Surin was linked to businessman Ly Yong Phat, with nearby office buildings reported to house a scam “empire”.
The Jubkogi casino opposite Buri Ram was characterised as a resort associated with investor Oknha Lim Heng. The Ta Phraya casino opposite Sa Kaeo lay in a politically sensitive border area with unclear ownership, while the Thmor Dar casino opposite Trat, owned by Oknha Try Pheap, a major investor tied to the government in Phnom Penh, was struck in a naval operation.
Alleged hubs for scams and illegal trade
The casinos were portrayed not only as military assets but also as long-standing hubs for illegal activities. Reports indicated that scam networks driven out of Myanmar were believed to have regrouped in complexes such as Chong An Ma.
Investors behind the casinos, including Ly Yong Phat and Try Pheap, were linked to patronage networks surrounding former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen. These connections positioned the casino belt at the intersection of organised crime, business interests and state power.
No ceasefire on the horizon
Despite international concern and a possible mediation attempt by US President Donald Trump, no early ceasefire appeared in sight. Talks to end the fighting were considered unlikely at this stage, and Thailand’s military remained in offensive mode.
The stated strategy was to destroy drone-attack infrastructure to a point where no threat could emanate from the casino complexes. As long as the sites were used as military bases, commanders signalled they would stay within the crosshairs of Thai artillery.
Civilian toll in an escalating dispute
The current focus on ostensibly civilian structures such as casinos marked an escalation in the decades-old border dispute. Thailand justified the strikes by arguing that the buildings were being used for military purposes by opposing forces.
Civilians in the frontier regions bore the brunt of the clashes, with many areas already evacuated. The situation raised questions over where the line lay between warfare, organised crime and state interests as casinos, drone bases and scam operations appeared increasingly intertwined.