Thai-Cambodian Border Clashes Leave 15 Dead, Force 120,000 to Flee
At least 15 people have been killed and over 120,000 displaced as fierce clashes erupted between Thai and Cambodian forces along their disputed border, marking the deadliest military confrontation between the two Southeast Asian nations in over a decade.
Fighting intensified for a second straight day on Friday, July 25, with both countries exchanging artillery and rocket fire. Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed 14 deaths — 13 civilians and one soldier — while Cambodian officials reported one civilian casualty and five injuries in Oddar Meanchey province.
Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, warned that the situation could spiral “into a state of war.” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of pulling out of a proposed ceasefire agreement initiated by Malaysia’s Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair, Anwar Ibrahim, calling the move “regrettable.”
Hun Manet urged Thailand to show “genuine willingness” to end the conflict, while Thailand’s foreign ministry accused Cambodian forces of indiscriminate attacks that endangered Thai civilians. Thailand said it remains open to bilateral dialogue but did not rule out regional mediation.
As violence spreads, Thai military officials report attacks at 12 locations along the border, a sharp increase from six the day before. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri confirmed Cambodia was deploying heavy weaponry.
To cope with the humanitarian fallout, Thai authorities evacuated over 100,000 residents from four provinces bordering Cambodia, opening more than 300 shelters. Cambodia has also evacuated around 20,000 people in the Preah Vihear region.
Martial law has been declared in eight Thai border districts. Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at evacuation centres, with elderly residents recalling the worst violence in the area since the 1970s Khmer Rouge era.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency meeting to address the crisis. The U.S. has urged an immediate ceasefire, while China, a close Cambodian ally, expressed concern and offered to mediate. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed the conflict’s roots on colonial-era border demarcation disputes and called for calm negotiations.
The conflict centres on a long-standing territorial dispute linked to a 1907 French-drawn map. Cambodia cites the map to back its claim, while Thailand argues it is inaccurate.
Both nations continue to blame each other for triggering the latest violence, raising fears of further escalation if diplomatic efforts fail.
