Thailand's Second Army Region announced today that "Operation Century" has achieved its objective of controlling the Chong An Ma pass, a critical stronghold between Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, following days of fierce fighting.

The Cambodian military intensified attacks on Thai positions using BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, howitzers, mortars, and drones. Thai forces responded with artillery, tanks, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and infantry.

Thai soldiers raise the flag at Chong An Ma pass after fully controlling the area on 16/12. *Photo: X/ArmyMilitaryHD*

Thailand's Second Army Region acknowledged its units sustained heavy fire but affirmed control of several key positions, particularly the entire Chong An Ma pass. Thai forces are establishing new defensive lines, clearing mines, and deploying barbed wire fences in the area.

In addition to Chong An Ma, Thailand's Second Army Region added that the ancient temple of Prasat Ta Kwai was the site of the most intense fighting along the border in recent days.

On the same day, Cambodia's Ministry of Defense accused Thailand of continuing to violate the ceasefire and the Joint Declaration on the peace agreement signed on 26/10 in Malaysia. The ministry stated that the Thai military shelled several areas in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces from the afternoon of 16/12 to the morning of 17/12, including Hill 333 and the ancient Ta Krabei temple.

Phnom Penh did not mention which forces control the Chong An Ma pass.

Chong An Ma is a natural pass, which Cambodia refers to as An Seh pass. This area is a flashpoint that sparked conflict, with a mine explosion injuring five Thai soldiers in July. Cambodian news outlet Fresh News reported that the area hosts a military base and serves as a reception point for defense attaches from various countries to monitor the ceasefire.

The location of Chong An Ma pass between Thailand and Cambodia. *Graphic: Bangkok Post*

Chong An Ma connects cross-border trade activities between Ubon Ratchathani and Preah Vihear provinces. The area previously hosted several refugee centers for Cambodian civilians during periods of instability, monitored by the United Nations. In 1999, the provincial administrations of Ubon Ratchathani and Preah Vihear agreed for Chong An Ma to become a trade point.

In 2011, during a period of border conflict concerning the Preah Vihear temple, Thailand accused Cambodia of building a structure, "Ta Om monument," at Chong An Ma and expanding settlements in the area. In 2012, the governments of both countries jointly recognized the area as a permanent border crossing.

Fighting re-erupted this month between the two countries, resulting in at least 37 deaths, including 19 soldiers and one civilian from Thailand, and 17 civilians from Cambodia.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians in both countries have been evacuated from the border. Mediation efforts by the US and other nations have not progressed, as Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for escalating the conflict, each demanding the other side cease fire first.

Thanh Danh (According to Nation, Khmer Times, Fresh News, Thai Enquirer)