JAKARTA - Cambodia urged an immediate ceasefire with Thailand after 2 days of deadly clashes at the border. Cambodian envoy to the United Nations (UN), Chhea Kee, said this after attending an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, July 25. Bangkok also expressed openness to negotiations.
The long-standing border conflict between the two countries broke out into fierce fighting involving fighter jets, heavy artillery, tanks, and ground troops on Thursday 24 July. "Kamboja asked for an unconditional ceasefire and pushed for a peaceful settlement," said Chhea Keo.
This latest clash claimed lives. In Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, one 70-year-old civilian was killed and five others injured. Meanwhile, Thailand's Ministry of Health reported 15 deaths, including 14 civilians and one soldier, as well as 46 injured. As a result of the conflict, more than 138,000 Thais have been evacuated.
The fighting continued into the early hours of Friday at three points in the border area. Cambodian troops fired heavy artillery, BM-21 rocket weapons, and field weapons, while Thai troops responded with equal retaliatory fire.
Although the fighting began to subside on Friday afternoon, the spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nikornej Balankura, expressed Thailand's readiness to have a dialogue, including with Malaysia's mediation, which currently serves as Chair of ASEAN. "We are ready if Cambodia wants to resolve this issue through diplomatic channels, both bilateral and through Malaysian mediation," he said.
Acting Thai Prime Minister Pomtham Wechayachai, warned the conflict could potentially develop into war if it was not immediately controlled. "For now, clashes are still limited," he said in Bangkok.
The two sides accused each other of being the trigger for the attack. Thailand accused Cambodia of attacking civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and gas stations that were hit by rockets. Cambodian envoys at the United Nations rejected the allegations and stressed that Cambodia did not have the military power of Thailand.
Thailand-Kamboja border disputes have been going on for a long time and have previously sparked fighting in 2008 '2011 which killed at least 28 people and forced tens of thousands of residents to flee. Although the decision of the International Court in 2013 eased tensions, the conflict re-emerged in May 2025 when a Cambodian soldier was killed in new clashes.
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This latest clash even involved six strategic locations including two ancient temples. Thailand deployed F-16 jets, while Cambodia launched rocket attacks on several border points.
In the city of Samraong, Cambodia, about 20 km from the border, residents were seen fleeing to find a safe place. We are afraid to live near the border, said Pro Bak (41), a local resident who fled his family to a Buddhist temple for protection.
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