PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (BN24) — Cambodia has called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with Thailand following three days of deadly border clashes that have killed at least 32 people and displaced nearly 200,000 in both countries.
In a statement before the United Nations, Cambodian ambassador Chhea Keo urged an end to the fighting, saying Phnom Penh seeks a “peaceful solution of the dispute.” The plea came as tensions spiraled along the Thailand-Cambodia border, where exchanges of artillery fire and drone activity have inflamed a decades-old territorial disagreement.
Thailand, however, responded with skepticism. Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said Saturday that a truce would require “genuine sincerity in ending the conflict” from Cambodia before negotiations could move forward.
Since hostilities erupted Thursday, the death toll has climbed steadily. Thai officials confirmed 19 fatalities—13 civilians and six soldiers—and reported that more than 140,000 people have been evacuated from the conflict zones in Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Srisaket provinces. Martial law has been imposed in eight border districts.
Cambodia’s defence ministry reported 13 deaths, including eight civilians and five soldiers. Over 35,000 people have been displaced in its southern and eastern provinces.
Fighting continued into Saturday, with Thai military forces repelling what they described as a Cambodian assault near the southern coastal region. The skirmishes have now expanded to at least 12 locations, and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned that the violence is dangerously close to escalating into full-scale war. He confirmed that heavy weapons are now being used and accused Cambodia of targeting civilian areas, prompting the evacuation of nearby villages.
In turn, Cambodia accused Thailand of deploying cluster munitions—indiscriminate weapons banned by most of the international community due to their risk to civilians. Thailand has yet to issue a formal response to the allegation.
The roots of the conflict trace back more than a century, stemming from colonial-era boundary decisions following the French occupation of Cambodia. The latest flare-up was triggered in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed near a disputed Khmer-Hindu temple. Tensions have since reached their highest point in over a decade, with each side blaming the other for provoking the current violence.
Thailand claims that Cambodia escalated the situation by flying surveillance drones over Thai military positions. Cambodia maintains that Thai soldiers initiated the conflict by advancing on territory that had previously been agreed to remain demilitarized.
Despite mounting international concern, Thailand has resisted outside intervention. Speaking to Reuters, Foreign Minister Maris said there was “no need” for third-party mediation. This position came even as leaders from the U.S. and ASEAN, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, urged both nations to agree to an immediate ceasefire and expressed willingness to facilitate peace talks.
The U.S. issued its own call for the “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” highlighting the growing global pressure on the Southeast Asian neighbors to de-escalate.
With both sides showing no signs of backing down and diplomatic efforts yet to gain traction, the region remains on edge as the humanitarian toll of the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict continues to rise.
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