Chinese Citizens Injured on the Cambodia-Thailand Border

JAKARTA - The Chinese government has again urged its citizens not to visit the Cambodian and Thai border areas, which have again heated up, following reports that a Chinese citizen was injured in clashes in the area.

"On December 22, a Chinese citizen suffered minor injuries due to a conflict on the Cambodian-Thai border. The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia has contacted the person concerned and will provide consular protection and assistance in accordance with its authority," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing. reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 24.

Lin also called on the warring parties to guarantee the safety, security, and rights and interests of Chinese citizens and companies in the region.

"Given the ongoing security situation along the Cambodian-Thai border, we once again urge Chinese citizens not to travel to the region for the time being," Lin said.

Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia that have lasted for decades turned into an armed conflict on July 24, 2025, when the two countries exchanged artillery fire and airstrikes.

On August 4, both parties announced a ceasefire, which was later strengthened through an implementation agreement a few days later. However, clashes have resumed since December 8, 2025.

Fighting continued along the border. The Thai army on Tuesday (23/12) stated that clashes were still taking place in four provinces in the Isan region, northeast Thailand, with Thai forces carrying out what they called focused support fire against Cambodian positions.

The number of casualties reported by both parties is different. The Thai authorities said 21 soldiers and one Thai civilian were killed, and another 33 civilians died as a result of the indirect impact of the conflict.

Thailand also reportedly attacked the Phnom Kmoch and Puncak Sbeak areas on Thursday (18/12) using F-16 fighter jets.

Thailand's military said it had destroyed more than six buildings suspected of being used by a cross-border fraud ring, including casinos and hotels, since the conflict flared again on December 7.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian Ministry of the Interior reported that 21 civilians were killed and 83 others were injured as a result of the fighting.

ASEAN, in a meeting of foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday (22/12), called on Cambodia and Thailand to immediately stop hostilities.

During the closed-door meeting, the ministers urged the two countries to restore trust and return to the path of dialogue, including through bilateral mechanisms and by utilizing the role of the ASEAN Chair.

The meeting also recalled the July 28, 2025 ceasefire agreement, the decision of the Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee on August 7, 2025, as well as the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on October 26, 2025, and urged both parties to fully and effectively implement all agreements.