Cambodia has issued an urgent appeal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with Thailand, as intense clashes erupt along their long disputed border. The calls came from Cambodia’s UN ambassador Chhea Keo during a packed Security Council meeting, as both sides traded artillery fire, rockets, and accusations of aggression.
What Sparked the Clashes? A Flashback
Tensions re‑ignited on July 24, 2025, following an explosion of a landmine that wounded Thai soldiers near the Ta Muen Thom temple area. Since then, the conflict has spread to multiple flashpoints across the Thailand Cambodia border, including Trat in Thailand and Pursat in Cambodia over 60 miles apart.
The backdrop is a decades‑long boundary dispute rooted in colonial maps and competing territorial claims around iconic sites like Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom temple.
Human Toll and Displacement in Numbers
With the conflict entering its third day, the death toll has reached at least 32 people: 19 in Thailand (including soldiers and civilians) and 13 in Cambodia (soldiers and civilians combined). Over 130,000 people have fled their homes, sheltering in schools, universities, and temple compounds across both nations.
| Category | Cambodia | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Civilians killed | ~8 (plus several injured) | ~13 (including children) |
| Soldiers killed | ~5 | ~6 |
| Total displaced people | ~23,000 | ~107,000+ |
Cambodia’s Diplomatic Push and International Response
At the UN, Cambodia demanded not only a ceasefire, but also called on the international community to condemn Thailand’s actions and to prevent conflict escalation. Cambodia claimed Thailand had initially agreed to a ceasefire mediated by Malaysia, but later reneged on the deal.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s UN envoy called on Cambodia to halt hostilities and return to “dialogue in good faith”. ASEAN, led by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, also urged both sides to cease fire and offered to mediate the dispute. Cambodia signaled support for the ASEAN-mediated talks while Thailand said it agreed in principle but emphasized a preference for bilateral resolution.
Why It Matters
This is reportedly the deadliest confrontation between Cambodia and Thailand in over a decade, surpassing the 2011 disputes in scale and human cost. The involvement of heavy weapons, including airstrikes and rockets, has heightened fears of cultural destruction around temple sites and raised concerns about potential war crimes.
Conclusion
Cambodia’s call for an immediate ceasefire is a desperate bid to halt the bloodshed and forge a diplomatic solution. With the death toll rising and civilians displaced, the region stands at a crossroads: will diplomacy prevail, or will history repeat with even greater losses? ASEAN and UN efforts could be key but only if both nations heed the call.