Tens of hundreds of individuals sought refuge as border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered its third day on Saturday (July 26, 2025), heightening fears of an prolonged battle with the total death toll reaching 32.
The United Nations (UN) Safety Council held an emergency assembly behind closed doorways on Friday (July 25, 2025) in New York, whereas Malaysia, which chairs the 10-nation regional bloc that features each nations, referred to as for an finish to hostilities and provided to mediate.
“The council didn’t problem an announcement however a council diplomat mentioned all 15 members referred to as on the events to deescalate, present restraint and resolve the dispute peacefully. The council additionally urged the regional bloc, the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations referred to as ASEAN, to assist resolve the border preventing,” the diplomat mentioned, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of the assembly was non-public.
Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Chhea Keo informed reporters afterward that his nation, which referred to as for the emergency assembly, “requested for speedy ceasefires, unconditionally, and we additionally name for the peaceable answer to the dispute.” He responded to accusations that Cambodia attacked Thailand asking how a small nation with no air power might assault a a lot bigger nation with a military 3 times its measurement, stressing, “We don’t try this.”
UN Safety Council urges restraint by either side
Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Chhea Keo mentioned the Safety Council referred to as for either side to train “most restraint and resort to diplomatic answer” which is what Cambodia is looking for as effectively.
Requested what he expects subsequent, the Ambassador mentioned: “Let’s see how the decision may be heard by all of the members there.” Thailand’s UN Ambassador left the assembly with out stopping to speak to reporters.
The Thai Well being Ministry on Friday (July 25, 2025) mentioned greater than 58,000 have fled from villages to non permanent shelters in 4 affected border provinces, whereas Cambodian authorities mentioned greater than 23,000 folks have evacuated from areas close to the border.
The newest flare-up in a long-running border dispute between the 2 nations has killed no less than 19 folks in Thailand — largely civilians —whereas Cambodia mentioned on Saturday (July 26, 2025) that 12 folks extra folks have killed on its facet, bringing its dying toll to 13.
Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes
Thailand’s appearing Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai mentioned on Friday (July 25, 2025) that Cambodia could also be responsible of battle crimes owing to the deaths of civilians and harm brought about to a hospital. He mentioned Thailand had exercised the “utmost restraint and persistence within the face of provocations and aggression” from Cambodia.
Tensions over a disputed border space erupted into preventing after a land mine explosion alongside the border wounded 5 Thai troopers on Wednesday (July 23, 2025.)
Clashes escape throughout border areas
The Thai army reported clashes on Friday (July 25, 2025) in a number of areas alongside the border, together with close to the traditional Ta Muen Thom temple claimed by either side. The Related Press reporters close to the border might hear sounds of artillery from early morning hours.
The Thai Military mentioned Cambodian forces had used heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket launchers, prompting what Thai officers described as “acceptable supporting hearth” in return. Thailand mentioned six of its troopers and 13 civilians have been killed whereas 29 troopers and 30 civilians have been wounded.
Early on Saturday (July 26, 2025), Cambodian Gen Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of Nationwide Protection, informed reporters that seven extra civilians and 5 troopers have died from two days of preventing. It earlier reported one fatality — a person who was killed when the pagoda he was hiding in bought hit by Thai rockets.
The Cambodian Training Ministry claimed that on Friday (July 25, 2025) two Thai rockets had hit a college compound in Oddar Meanchey however brought about no accidents. It mentioned all colleges within the province have been closed. The Thai Military denied it focused civilian websites in Cambodia and accused Cambodia of utilizing “human shields” by positioning their weapons close to residential areas.
Hundreds flee villages close to the border
Because the preventing intensified, villagers on either side have been caught within the crossfire, main many to flee. Round 600 folks took shelter at a gymnasium in a college in Surin, Thailand, about 80 km (50 miles) from the border. Evacuees sat in teams, on mats and blankets, and queued for meals and drinks.
Seamstress Pornpan Sooksai was accompanied by 4 cats in two cloth carriers. She mentioned she was doing laundry at her dwelling close to Ta Muen Thom temple when shelling started Thursday (July 24, 2025). “I simply heard, growth, growth. We already ready the cages, garments and the whole lot, so we ran and carried our issues to the automotive. I used to be frightened, scared,” she recalled.
Rattana Meeying, one other evacuee, mentioned she had additionally lived via the 2011 clashes between the 2 nations however described this flare-up as worse.
“Youngsters, previous folks, have been hit out of the blue. I by no means imagined it will be this violent,” she mentioned. On the close by Phanom Dong Rak hospital, periodic explosions might be heard on Friday (July 25, 2025) and a army truck arrived with three injured Thai troopers, together with one who had each legs severed. Thursday’s shelling shattered home windows at one of many hospital’s buildings and broken its roof.
Within the neighbouring Sisaket province, extra villagers took their belongings and left houses in a stream of vehicles, vehicles and motorbikes after they acquired an evacuation order on Friday (July 25, 2025.)
Throughout the border in Cambodia, villages on the outskirts of Oddar Meanchey province have been largely abandoned. Houses stood locked, whereas chickens and canines roamed outdoors.
Some villagers earlier dug holes to create makeshift underground bunkers, protecting them with wooden, tarpaulin and zinc sheets to defend themselves from shelling. Households with youngsters have been seen packing their belongings on home-made tractors to evacuate, although a number of males refused to go away.
A distant Buddhist temple surrounded by rice fields accommodated a number of hundred evacuated villagers. Ladies rested in hammocks, some cradling infants, whereas youngsters ran about. Makeshift plastic tents have been being arrange below the bushes.
Veng Chin (74) pleaded with each governments to barter a settlement “in order that I can return to my dwelling and work on the farm.”
ASEAN chair requires calm
The battle marks a uncommon occasion of armed confrontation between ASEAN member nations although Thailand has tangled with Cambodia earlier than over the border and has had sporadic skirmishes with western neighbour Myanmar.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim mentioned on Friday (July 25, 2025) that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to a ceasefire and to withdraw their troops from the border, however requested extra time earlier than implementing the motion, in keeping with a report by Malaysia’s Bernama nationwide information company.
Mr. Anwar mentioned he had spoken to each Cambodian chief Hun Manet and Thailand’s Phumtham and urged them to open area for “peaceable dialogue and diplomatic decision,” whereas providing to have Malaysia facilitate talks. UN Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres has additionally referred to as for restraint and urged each nations to resolve disputes via dialogue, in keeping with UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.
Newest flareup in longstanding border tensions
The 800 km (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for many years, however previous confrontations have been restricted and transient. The final main flare-up in 2011 left 20 useless. The present tensions broke out in Might when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand’s home politics.
Issues bought worse when a land mine wounded 5 Thai troopers on Wednesday (July 23, 2025), main Bangkok to shut the border and expel the Cambodian Ambassador. The following day, clashes broke out alongside the border.
