Cambodia has called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as deadly border clashes with Thailand intensify, leaving at least 32 people dead and displacing nearly 200,000 others across both countries.
Cambodia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Chhea Keo, said Phnom Penh is pushing for a peaceful resolution.
“We asked for a truce unconditionally,” he said, emphasising Cambodia’s commitment to “a peaceful solution of the dispute.”
Thailand has not publicly responded to the ceasefire proposal and has rejected third-party mediation. The Thai government earlier declared martial law in eight border districts.
The violence began on Thursday, with both countries accusing each other of initiating the conflict. According to Thai officials, 19 people including 13 civilians and six soldiers have been killed, and nearly 140,000 people evacuated from affected areas.
Cambodia’s defence ministry reported 13 deaths eight civilians and five soldiers and said more than 35,000 people have fled their homes.
Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, warned Friday that the clashes risk “moving towards war,” citing the use of heavy weapons and fighting across 12 border locations.
“This is no longer a localised skirmish. It’s turning into something much more dangerous,” he warned.
The Thai military accused Cambodia of launching fresh attacks in the south near the coast, which were “pushed back by the navy.”
Earlier confrontations were reported in Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Srisaket provinces.
Bangkok further accused Cambodia of firing into civilian areas and said it had evacuated all villages within range of Cambodian rockets. Cambodia, in turn, accused Thailand of using cluster munitions a weapon banned in much of the world due to its indiscriminate effects on civilians. Thailand has not responded to the allegation.
Thailand’s foreign minister told Reuters that the government sees “no need” for outside intervention, despite mounting international concern.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, speaking in his capacity as chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), offered to mediate the crisis. The United States also called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
The immediate trigger for the violence is contested. Thai authorities claim Cambodian drones carried out surveillance over Thai troops, prompting a response. Cambodia maintains Thai forces violated an earlier agreement by advancing on a historic Khmer-Hindu temple near the border.
Tensions between the two nations have flared periodically due to a long-standing border dispute dating back over a century, rooted in post-colonial demarcations following France’s occupation of Cambodia.
The current crisis escalated sharply in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border clash, pushing bilateral relations to their lowest point in more than a decade.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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