Thai-Cambodian Bloodshed Escalates as Death Toll Climbs despite Ceasefire Appeal
Border Tension Rises as Thailand‑Cambodia Clash Claims 33 Lives
The confrontation along the 800‑kilometre border between Thailand and Cambodia has erupted into a new battle on Saturday, with the death toll now at 33 and Phnom Penh demanding an “immediate ceasefire.”
Escalation of the Long‑Running Dispute
A dispute that has simmered for years has suddenly escalated into intense fighting involving jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session on Friday to address the crisis.
Cambodia’s Casualties
- 13 confirmed deaths, including 8 civilians and 5 soldiers.
- 71 wounded.
Thailand’s Casualties
- 5 soldiers killed on Friday, bringing the total to 20 (14 civilians, 6 military).
Comparative Death Toll
The combined death toll now exceeds the 28 fatalities from the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011.
Early Morning Clash
Both sides reported a clash around 5:00 a.m. (2200 GMT Friday). Cambodia accused Thai forces of firing five heavy artillery shells into locations in Pursat province, which borders Thailand’s Trat province.
Displacement and Evacuation
- More than 138,000 people evacuated from Thailand’s border regions.
- More than 35,000 displaced from homes in Cambodia.
UN Security Council Meeting
Following a closed meeting in New York, Cambodia’s UN ambassador Chhea Keo called for a ceasefire. “Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire – unconditionally – and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,” he told reporters.
Border Row Summary
Thai Foreign Ministry Response
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Thursday, before the UN meeting, that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. “We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that,” he told AFP. “But so far we have not had any response,” he added.
Malaysia’s Role
Malaysia currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a bloc of which Thailand and Cambodia both belong.
Thai Prime Minister’s Warning
Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned that if the situation escalates, “it could develop into war.”
Mutual Accusations
Both sides blamed each other for firing first. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia blamed Thai forces for using cluster munitions.
UN Dialogue
At the UN, Cambodia’s envoy questioned Thailand’s assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbour, had initiated the conflict. “(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well,” said Chhea Keo.
Historical Context
The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long‑running dispute between the neighbours – both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists – over their shared border. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested, and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.
A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a new clash.
