Cambodia has called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following two days of intense border clashes with Thailand that have left at least 16 people dead and displaced tens of thousands of civilians. Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Chhea Keo announced that Phnom Penh seeks a peaceful solution to the dispute, which has escalated into one of the most serious military confrontations between the two countries in over a decade.
The fighting, which began on Thursday, has now spread across 12 locations along the border, with both sides exchanging heavy artillery fire, drone strikes, and rocket attacks. Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned that the violence could “move towards war” if not contained. The Thai government has declared martial law in eight border districts, while evacuating villages near the conflict zone amid growing fears of an escalation.
Thailand accuses Cambodia of firing into civilian areas, while Cambodian officials claim the Thai military has used cluster munitions, which are banned under international law for their indiscriminate impact on civilian populations. These allegations remain unverified.
Efforts for mediation have so far stalled. Despite appeals from ASEAN Chair Malaysia, the United States, and other global actors urging an immediate cessation of hostilities and protection of civilians, Bangkok has rejected third-party mediation, insisting that the crisis should be resolved through bilateral talks.
The border dispute, rooted in historical territorial disagreements dating back over a century to the French colonial era, has flared intermittently for years but now threatens to spiral into full-scale conflict. The latest tensions follow an earlier incident in May that left a Cambodian soldier dead, marking the lowest point in bilateral relations in more than ten years.
