Thai-Cambodian Border Clashes Enter Third Day as Casualties Rise and New Fronts Emerge

Sisaket/Pursat, July 26: Violence along the Thai-Cambodian border escalated into a third consecutive day on Saturday, with both nations accusing each other of aggression while calling for a cessation of hostilities and a return to negotiations. The conflict has now claimed more than 30 lives and displaced over 130,000 people in what is being described as the worst cross-border fighting between the two Southeast Asian neighbors in over a decade.

Fresh clashes erupted early Saturday in Trat province on Thailand’s coast and in Cambodia’s Pursat province, marking a new flashpoint more than 100 kilometers from previously affected areas. Both sides reported multiple engagements in these regions, intensifying concerns over the geographic spread of the conflict.

The military standoff began following the death of a Cambodian soldier in late May during a brief skirmish. In the weeks since, both countries have significantly bolstered troop deployments along the disputed 817-km border, further aggravating a volatile diplomatic crisis that has placed Thailand's fragile ruling coalition under strain.

According to official tallies as of Saturday, Thailand has reported the deaths of seven soldiers and 13 civilians, while Cambodia confirmed the deaths of five soldiers and eight civilians, according to Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.

In Thailand’s Sisaket province, a university compound has been converted into a temporary shelter for displaced civilians. A volunteer reported housing over 5,000 evacuees, many of whom fled artillery fire.

Among them was Samrong Khamduang, a 51-year-old farmer who left her home 10 km from the border on Thursday. “We were terrified by the sound of artillery,” she said. “My husband stayed back to tend to our livestock, but now I can’t reach him. I have no idea what’s happening.”

Diplomatic Push by ASEAN

Regional leaders are now seeking to mediate the conflict. Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), reaffirmed his commitment to brokering a ceasefire. Cambodia has expressed support for Anwar's proposal, while Thailand has said it agrees in principle.

“There is still some exchange of fire,” Anwar told reporters, as quoted by state news agency Bernama. “I’ve asked my foreign minister to coordinate with the respective foreign ministries, and I will personally continue engagement efforts—at least to bring an end to the fighting.”

UN Security Council Involved

During a UN Security Council meeting on Friday, Thailand’s Ambassador Cherdchai Chaivaivid accused Cambodia of planting landmines inside Thai territory and launching attacks earlier that week. He urged Cambodia to “immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith.”

In response, Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence condemned what it called “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack” by Thailand. The ministry further alleged that Thailand was mobilizing troops and heavy military equipment along the border with the intent to escalate.

“These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand's intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia's sovereignty,” the statement read. Phnom Penh also appealed to the international community to “condemn Thailand's aggression in the strongest terms.”

Decades-Long Dispute Over Sacred Sites

The long-running border dispute centers on the sovereignty of ancient temple complexes such as Ta Moan Thom and the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962, tensions reignited in 2008 when Cambodia sought UNESCO World Heritage status for the site—prompting repeated skirmishes over the following years and several fatalities.

Cambodia has since appealed to the ICJ to resolve the broader border demarcation issues. Thailand, however, maintains that it does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction and favors a bilateral resolution.