Caged lions and bears were found in a casino allegedly used by Cambodian soldiers as an army base near the Thai border.

The wildlife was discovered when US-trained Thai marines seized the gambling den in Cambodia's Pursat province on December 22.

Troops said they found two lions, two Asian black bears, and a Malayan sun bear held captive in the premises.

Footage shows the emaciated animals with disheveled fur languishing in their cages. The soldiers later contacted Thai wildlife officials to conduct an inspection.

The bears were transferred to the Bang Lamung Wildlife Breeding Centre in Chonburi for care and rehabilitation, while the lions will be moved to the Khao Zon Wildlife Breeding Centre, they said.

Authorities said they were investigating the origins of the caged wildlife to proceed with further legal action.

The discovery comes as the Thai army reclaimed the border casino and Ban Tha Sen village in Trat province.

The building was reportedly used as a stronghold to operate anti-drone units, deploy snipers, and reinforce Cambodian troops.

Thai soldiers also reportedly found a cache of landmines in the village as Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating international humanitarian laws, including the Ottawa Treaty.

The Thai and Cambodian militaries were set to meet on December 24 for peace talks after US President Donald Trump's bungled ceasefire attempt.

Territorial clashes flared up earlier this year before a brief ceasefire, but started again this month when Cambodian troops are said to have fired on a Thai engineering team building an access road in a disputed border area.

In the most recent battles, at least 23 Thai soldiers and one civilian have been killed.

In Cambodia, the number of military fatalities is believed to be much higher, though regime chiefs have not revealed the actual figure.

Around 600,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the border.

Cambodia's assault has largely been wayward, unguided rockets fired indiscriminately into Thai territory, including the July 24 attacks that killed 14 people and injured dozens more.

In response, Thailand has removed Cambodians from villages encroaching on its territory and used precision drone strikes and fighter jet strikes on military sites.

Former Khmer Rouge henchman and Cambodian dictator Hun Sen has repeatedly claimed that he wants peace and that Thailand is the aggressor.

Thai officials claim the ongoing border confrontations are a threat to national security, and the areas must be secured.