Thai - Cambodia Conflict Cambodia Calls for Ceasefire as Border Clashes with Thailand Escalate

[webfact]

A Cambodian military vehicle carries a rocket launcher in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, Friday, July 25, 2025, as Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed along the border between their countries in a major escalation. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

 

NEW YORK - Cambodia is urging an "immediate ceasefire" with Thailand after deadly skirmishes between the two neighbouring nations. This appeal was made by Cambodia's United Nations envoy after two days of intense fighting, which prompted the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting. In response to the clashes, Thailand has expressed its openness to dialogue, which could potentially involve Malaysia as a mediator.

 

The border dispute has been simmering for years but erupted violently with jets, artillery, tanks, and ground troops engaging on Thursday. The Cambodian province of Oddar Meanchey reported the death of a 70-year-old civilian and injuries to five others due to artillery fire. On the Thai side, over 138,000 residents have been evacuated from the border regions, with 15 fatalities—including civilians and a soldier—and 46 others injured.

 

Fighting restarted in the early hours of Friday, with Cambodian forces deploying heavy weaponry, including BM-21 rocket systems. Thai troops retaliated with supportive fire. However, by Friday afternoon, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura indicated a reduction in hostilities and Bangkok's readiness for diplomatic talks. Malaysia, chairing the ASEAN regional bloc, may play a role in mediating the dispute, as both Thailand and Cambodia are members.

 

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned of the potential for escalation into war but stressed the current situation remains limited to clashes. Each country accuses the other of initiating the conflict, with Thailand asserting that Cambodian forces targeted civilian infrastructure.

 

At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's claims, stressing the latter's superior military capabilities. The Security Council has called for maximum restraint from both sides and recommended diplomatic solutions. None of the other Security Council attendees provided comments post-meeting.

 

These clashes are a flashpoint in a protracted border conflict between the two nations, whose 800km border remains disputed in several areas. Previous hostilities in 2008-2011 resulted in at least 28 deaths and mass displacements, with a UN court ruling in 2013 appearing to settle the matter temporarily. However, tensions reignited in May with the killing of a Cambodian soldier in new skirmishes.

 

On the ground, combat focused on six key locations, including ancient temple sites. Tanks supported ground troops as Cambodia launched rockets and shells into Thai territory. Thailand responded by deploying F-16 jets to target military installations across the border, reported AFP.

 

In the Cambodian town of Samraong, just 20km from the conflict zone, local families were seen fleeing amidst gunfire. Pro Bak, a local resident, expressed fear for his family's safety as they sought refuge in a Buddhist temple, underscoring the human toll of the turmoil.

 

The situation remains volatile, with both countries urged to de-escalate and pursue peace talks to prevent further loss and chaos in the region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from AFP 2025-07-26

 

 

[Pouatchee]

som num na cambodia

[captain_shane]

What exactly is Cambodia thinking anyway? Thailand has fighter jets, cambodia has below a 0% chance in a 1-on-1 fight.

[lordgrinz]

Translation: If we keep this up we will lose, and lose big.

 

It looks like those four F16's sent yesterday scared them straight.

[chuang]

1 hour ago, captain_shane said:

What exactly is Cambodia thinking anyway? Thailand has fighter jets, cambodia has below a 0% chance in a 1-on-1 fight.

Foolish Pride....

[Sydebolle]

Get rid of the Shinawatras and the problem is solved for Thailand. Hun Sen is and remains a Cambodian issue with lots of dirt on his resume but, as said, he is a Cambodian burden. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, chuang said:

Foolish Pride....

Both sides of the border...

[zzzzz]

follow the MOney
Get rid of the Shinawatras
get rid of Heun Sen and family

All this is doing is showing the world Thailand's government is ineffective and ONLY the military can run the show

Clue in Coup coming soon

[captain_shane]

3 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Get rid of the Shinawatras and the problem is solved for Thailand. Hun Sen is and remains a Cambodian issue with lots of dirt on his resume but, as said, he is a Cambodian burden. 

No, he's a thai problem with his scam centers. Those scam centers are a big reason chinese tourists have stopped showing up.

[Scouse123]

5 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

follow the MOney
Get rid of the Shinawatras
get rid of Heun Sen and family

All this is doing is showing the world Thailand's government is ineffective and ONLY the military can run the show

Clue in Coup coming soon

 

All easier said than done.

[Sydebolle]

2 minutes ago, captain_shane said:

No, he's a thai problem with his scam centers. Those scam centers are a big reason chinese tourists have stopped showing up.

Still no reason to shoot like mad men; both of them! 

[lordgrinz]

Cambodia needs to watch their fire, they shot some rounds into Laos.

[stix40]

Lock up most of the leaders globally 

Power hungry 

Corrupt mfrs 

Most civilians world wide just want to earn a living look after family 

And backed by a government that serves the people not vice versa 

 

[captain_shane]

Just now, stix40 said:

Lock up most of the leaders globally 

Power hungry 

Corrupt mfrs 

Most civilians world wide just want to earn a living look after family 

And backed by a government that serves the people not vice versa 

 

Pipe dream. The government is set up to keep people poor and stupid. The economy would literally stop working if 90% of people weren't living paycheck to paycheck.

[zzzzz]

54 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Cambodia needs to watch their fire, they shot some rounds into Laos.

Quote

 

"#Cambodia-Thailand conflict escalates! #Artillery shells affect Laos. The border situation may escalate!

The Laotian military issued an emergency notice on the 26th, saying that the Laotian army had a fierce exchange of fire with several Cambodian militants who illegally crossed the border in the border area between Laos' Champasak Province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province, arrested 10 people and seized weapons.

According to the report of the Laotian Champasak Military District Command, the incident occurred between July 24 and 25. Cambodian militants illegally crossed the border into Laotian territory. The Laotian military quickly took action and engaged in a gunfight with them.

Laotian military notification document
After the exchange of fire, the Laotian military arrested 10 Cambodian militants and seized 4 rifles and several grenades. Three people died and one was injured at the scene.
#The Laotian side is currently conducting further interrogations and investigations.
#Thailand #Cambodia #Cambodia-Thailand-Border #Wewantpeacenitwar #Laos"

[dinsdale]

Mate in Kantaralak, Si Saket said that since the 711 was hit (5km from his joint) in his words "it's been payback big time my windows are rattling" Reckons Kantaralak is a ghost town with lots of artillery going off. This will be over soon. Cambodia cannot match Thailand. He gives it a week and I tend to agree.

[Lingba]

2 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

Get rid of the Shinawatras and the problem is solved for Thailand. Hun Sen is and remains a Cambodian issue with lots of dirt on his resume but, as said, he is a Cambodian burden. 

all comes down to the oil 

[pacovl46]

Oh, I'm sorry, first you attack and when you get your ass handed to you THEN you want a ceasefire?! 

 

Should've thought about the repercussions beforehand. Now deal with the fallout!