Cambodia Urges Immediate Ceasefire as Border Clashes with Thailand Escalate

Cambodia called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” with Thailand on Friday, following a second consecutive day of deadly border clashes that have prompted international concern and an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting.

The long-simmering dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbors exploded into heavy fighting on Thursday involving jets, tanks, artillery, and ground troops. Cambodia’s UN envoy Chhea Keo, speaking after the closed-door Council session attended by both nations, appealed for restraint and diplomacy. “We call for the peaceful resolution of the dispute,” he said.

The violence continued into early Friday, with Cambodian artillery shelling parts of the contested border before Thai troops responded with “appropriate supporting fire,” according to the Thai military. Cambodia reported one civilian death and five injuries in Oddar Meanchey province, while Thailand’s health ministry confirmed at least 15 deaths — 14 civilians and one soldier — and 46 injuries, including 15 troops. More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thai border areas.

While hostilities persisted into the morning, Thai officials said fighting had started to ease by afternoon. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Bangkok remains open to dialogue and suggested Malaysia — currently chair of ASEAN — could play a mediating role. “We are ready… but so far we have not had any response from Cambodia,” he told AFP.

Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned earlier that continued escalation could lead to war. “For now, it remains limited to clashes,” he said.

Each side accused the other of initiating the hostilities. Thailand claimed Cambodian forces targeted civilian infrastructure, including a hospital and a petrol station, while Phnom Penh challenged the idea that the smaller, less militarized Cambodia would launch a first strike.

The Security Council urged both nations to show “maximum restraint” and pursue diplomacy — a position echoed by Cambodia at the meeting. Other Council members did not comment publicly.

The clashes mark the worst flare-up in a border dispute that has flared intermittently since 2008. The 800-kilometer (500-mile) boundary between the two countries includes several disputed zones, particularly around ancient temples. A 2013 ruling by a UN court appeared to defuse tensions for over a decade, but fresh violence erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border skirmish.

Thursday’s fighting was concentrated in six zones, including areas near two historic temples. Cambodian forces reportedly fired BM-21 rocket salvos and artillery into Thai territory, while Thailand deployed F-16 jets to strike back.

In Cambodia’s Samraong town, about 20 kilometers from the frontline, AFP journalists saw civilians fleeing under the sound of gunfire. “I live very close to the border. We are scared,” said 41-year-old Pro Bak, who was evacuating with his family to a Buddhist temple for shelter.