Intense fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border has killed at least 33 people and forced more than 160,000 civilians to flee their homes, as escalating cross-border attacks entered a third day on Saturday (July 26), raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Both sides said they had acted in self-defense in the border dispute and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations.
Thai authorities report that over 131,000 people have been evacuated from border provinces, while Cambodian officials say more than 35,000 residents have been displaced from affected northern regions.
The clashes, the deadliest between the two nations in 14 years, have drawn international concern and prompted emergency diplomatic efforts to contain the violence.
On Saturday, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed an additional 12 deaths, seven civilians and five soldiers, bringing the country’s death toll to 13. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Gen. Maly Socheata stated that, “One other Cambodian man was earlier reported killed when Thai rockets hit the Buddhist pagoda he was hiding in on Thursday.” The spokesperson added that “at least 50 Cambodian civilians and more than 20 soldiers have also been injured.”
Thailand has reported 19 fatalities, 13 civilians, including children, and six soldiers. An additional 59 Thais have been injured, comprising 29 soldiers and 30 civilians, according to Thai authorities.
The fighting, initially concentrated near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, has now extended as far south as Trat province, 200 miles from the original conflict zone. Thai naval forces reported repelling Cambodian incursions near Ban Chamrak early Saturday. Cambodia, however, accused Thai troops of initiating the expansion by firing into Pursat Province. Both provinces border each other and the Gulf of Thailand.
Mass Displacement and Martial Law
The intensification of hostilities has triggered widespread displacement. In Thailand, more than 138,000 civilians have been evacuated from vulnerable border provinces, with over 300 evacuation centers established. The Thai Health Ministry reported that “more than 58,000 have fled from villages to temporary shelters in four affected border provinces.”
On Cambodia’s side, authorities have evacuated approximately 35,000 people, with local sources including The Khmer Times reporting mass departures from Preah Vihear and Banteay Meanchey provinces.
Thailand declared martial law in eight border districts on Friday. In the province of Surin, more than 600 evacuees took refuge at a university gymnasium. “I just heard, boom, boom. We already prepared the cages, clothes and everything, so we ran and carried our things to the car. I was frightened, scared,” said evacuee Pornpan Sooksai, a seamstress who fled with her family and four cats.
Accusations of War Crimes and Use of Banned Weapons
Both sides have leveled serious accusations against one another. Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated on Friday, “Cambodia may be guilty of war crimes due to the deaths of civilians, as well as damage caused to a hospital.” He further claimed that Thailand had exercised the “utmost restraint and patience in the face of provocations and aggression.”
Cambodia, in turn, accused Thailand of launching long-range rockets into civilian areas and using cluster munitions—a charge Thailand denies. The Cambodian Ministry of Education reported that “two Thai rockets had hit a school compound in Oddar Meanchey,” though no injuries were recorded. Cambodian authorities have since closed all schools in the province.
Gen. Socheata dismissed Thai claims that Cambodia deployed PHL-03 missile systems, calling the assertion “fake news invented by Thailand.”
UN Security Council and ASEAN call for de-escalation and restraint
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency closed-door session late Friday. While no formal resolution was issued, all 15 council members reportedly urged both parties to de-escalate, show restraint, and seek a peaceful solution. The Associated Press quoted a council diplomat as saying the UNSC had “called on the parties to de-escalate fighting, show restraint and resolve the dispute peacefully.”
Cambodia’s U.N. Ambassador Chhea Keo emphasized his nation’s call for a ceasefire: “We asked for immediate ceasefires, unconditionally, and we also call for the peaceful solution to the dispute.” Responding to Thai accusations, Keo added, “How can a small country with no air force attack a much larger country with an army three times its size? We do not do that.”
Keo warned of broader repercussions: “If this conflict escalates, the peace and stability of the entire Southeast Asian region will be at stake.”
The regional bloc ASEAN, currently chaired by Malaysia, has offered to mediate. Both nations appealed for international support, urging the global community “not to look away.”
Tensions reignited Thursday following a landmine explosion that injured five Thai soldiers near the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple. Each side has since accused the other of initiating hostilities. Thailand claimed Cambodia launched a rocket attack on a petrol station that killed six people, prompting an F-16 airstrike allegedly responsible for the Buddhist pagoda casualty.
The contested area has long been a flashpoint, with previous armed confrontations between Thailand and Cambodia occurring in 2008 and 2011 over disputed temple zones. Analysts note that the current escalation already appears to surpass past conflicts in both intensity and geographic scope. As violence persists and diplomacy stalls, regional stability in Southeast Asia may face serious long-term challenges.
Cambodia calls for immediate ceasefire with Thailand
Cambodia has called for an “immediate” and “unconditional” ceasefire with Thailand, with its ambassador to the United Nations, Chhea Keo, urging a peaceful resolution to the border dispute.
However, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa emphasized that Phnom Penh must demonstrate “genuine sincerity in ending the conflict” before ceasefire negotiations can advance.
In a notable intervention, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the Cambodian and Thai leaders had agreed to meet promptly to negotiate a truce after three days of intense fighting.
Speaking from Scotland via social media, Trump disclosed that he had spoken with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, warning that ongoing hostilities could jeopardize future trade agreements with both nations. “Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace,” Trump wrote as he gave a blow-by-blow account of his diplomatic efforts.