Over 100,000 Displaced as Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes Escalate into Day 2
Conflict Intensifies Along Disputed Border
SURIN, Thailand — Thailand-Cambodia border clashes enter day two, forcing over 100,000 people to flee as heavy fighting triggers global concern and urgent diplomatic calls. Thai officials report that over 100,000 civilians have fled from four provinces near the frontier, seeking shelter in nearly 300 temporary camps. The Thailand-Cambodia Border clashes, which began early Thursday near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, have escalated into one of the region’s most serious confrontations in over a decade.
Casualties and Evacuations Mount
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed 14 deaths, including 13 civilians and one soldier, with 46 others injured. Cambodian authorities have reported at least one civilian death and five injuries, though figures remain incomplete. In Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, 1,500 families have been relocated to emergency shelters.
“I live very close to the border. We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6 am,” said Pro Bak, a Cambodian evacuee sheltering at a Buddhist temple. In Thailand’s Sisaket province, Tep Savouen, a mother of four, described the chaos: “Suddenly I heard a loud noise… At that time, I was terrified”.
Military Engagements: Artillery, Airstrikes, and Ground Forces
In the Thailand-Cambodia Border clashes, Thai armed forces reported continuous shelling by Cambodian troops with BM-21 rocket systems and field guns, which led to counterattacks by air with F-16 fighter aircraft against Cambodian military installations. Fighting has broken out in at least six border areas with the use of ground troops, tanks, and aerial surveillance by both sides.
Thailand attributes the Cambodian rockets for bombing a gas station and hospital in Surin and Sisaket provinces and killing civilians. Cambodia attributes Thailand for invading its sovereignty and making unprovoked incursions around the Preah Vihear temple.
The Conflict’s Origin and Diplomatic Failure
The tension is due to a border dispute that has been smoldering for over a century, since the 1907 colonial maps were released. Tension flared again in May 2025 after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a Thailand-Cambodia Border clashes. A recent explosion of a landmine that injured five Thai soldiers fueled tensions to force out ambassadors and close border checkpoints.
Thailand has accused Cambodia of sowing Russian-made mines, while Cambodia has argued that the mines were from previous wars. Even diplomatic ties are significantly dropped to the lowest level as Cambodia recalled its ambassadors and halted bilateral negotiations.
International Reactions and Calls for Peace
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to address the crisis. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for both sides to “exercise maximum restraint” and to engage in negotiations.
The ASEAN Chair Malaysia, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has made a call for a ceasefire and has indicated an offer of mediation now. The neighboring countries, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China, have made a call for a peaceful resolution and have voiced concern.
Humanitarian Implications and the Future
Humanitarian relief is worsening at a rapid rate. Thai authorities have sent medical staff and relief materials, and Cambodian authorities are collaborating with local NGOs to assist displaced families. Destruction of infrastructure like ports and gas depots has raised alarms regarding extended instability.
We will do everything in our power to safeguard our sovereignty,” Thai Acting Premier Phumtham Wechayachai announced as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the UN to term Thailand’s actions as “unprovoked military aggression.”.
The two sides are gearing up for an escalation, and international observers are warning that unless an immediate diplomatic intervention is made, the battle could rage out of control into a broader regional crisis.
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