Cambodia has called for an unconditional ceasefire with Thailand following two days of intense cross-border violence that has left at least 13 people dead and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.
Fighting erupted near the ancient Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom temples — sites long at the heart of a decades-old border dispute between the two nations. Heavy artillery and rocket fire were exchanged for a second consecutive day, intensifying fears of a prolonged military confrontation.
Cambodia Appeals for Peace
At the United Nations, Cambodia’s envoy Chhea Keo made an urgent appeal for a ceasefire, stressing Phnom Penh’s desire for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution. “We have requested a truce without any conditions because we seek a peaceful solution,” he said.
In a closed-door session of the UN Security Council, Thailand accused Cambodia of launching “indiscriminate and inhumane attacks” and demanded that all acts of aggression cease immediately. Cambodia, in response, denied initiating hostilities and pointed to its comparatively limited military capacity. “We are urging restraint, just as the Security Council has advised,” Chhea Keo added.
Human Toll and Displacement
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the deaths of 13 individuals, including eight soldiers. Over 35,000 Cambodians have been displaced as a result of the violence.
Thailand’s health ministry reported at least 15 deaths, including 14 civilians and one soldier, while more than 138,000 people have been evacuated from border areas. An additional 46 people have sustained serious injuries — 15 of them military personnel.
A Conflict Rooted in History
The current clashes mark the worst escalation since the 2008–2011 border skirmishes, which had previously resulted in 28 deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands. A 2013 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was believed to have resolved the dispute, granting Cambodia sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple and surrounding land. However, tensions reignited in May this year when a Cambodian soldier was fatally shot. The situation worsened in July after two Thai soldiers were injured in separate landmine explosions.
The 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, perched on a cliff in the Dangrek mountain range, has long been a flashpoint. While the ICJ had ruled in 1962 that the temple lay within Cambodian territory, Thailand has continued to dispute a 4.6 sq km area around it. Tensions flared again in 2008 after Cambodia listed the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site, prompting deadly confrontations in the years that followed.
What’s Next?
As both countries exchange blame and international concern mounts, the United Nations has urged maximum restraint and a return to diplomatic dialogue. Cambodia maintains that it is committed to peaceful negotiations and has reiterated its request for global mediation to avoid further loss of life.
With thousands displaced and the potential for further escalation looming, the fragile situation at the Thailand-Cambodia border remains a pressing concern for regional stability.
