Border crisis deepens as Thai-Cambodian clashes leave 32 dead, displace thousands
As of today, efforts to reach a ceasefire remain fragile, with both sides reinforcing their positions — and thousands of civilians paying the price.
Damage from a fire caused by Cambodian artillery Friday at a convenience store in the Thai border province of Sisaket (Image: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP)
An escalating border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has driven over 80,000 people from their homes, as deadly clashes entered a third day today, raising alarms of a wider regional crisis. At least 32 people have been killed, including many civilians, and dozens more wounded in the heaviest fighting in years between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
Among the casualties was a hospital in Thailand’s Surin Province, struck during Cambodian shelling that Thai authorities say may constitute a war crime.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency closed-door meeting in New York Friday night. While no formal statement was released, all 15 member states reportedly urged both countries to deescalate and resolve the dispute peacefully. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), chaired by Malaysia, was also called upon to mediate, according to news reports.
Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Chhea Keo, who initiated the emergency session, demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and rejected accusations that Cambodia initiated the attacks. “We’re a small country with no air force—how could we launch such an offensive?” he argued.
Thailand’s UN representative left without comment.
The Thai Health Ministry reported that over 58,000 residents had evacuated from villages in four Thai provinces. Cambodia reported more than 23,000 displaced from its border regions.
Friday’s clashes saw the Thai military engage Cambodian forces near the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple, with heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems deployed. Thai officials claimed “appropriate supporting fire” was used in retaliation.
Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai accused Cambodia of aggression and alleged war crimes after shelling struck civilian areas, including a hospital. Cambodia reported additional deaths on Saturday — seven civilians and five soldiers — bringing its total death toll to 13.
A Cambodian school compound in Oddar Meanchey province was also struck by Thai rockets on Friday, though no injuries were reported. All schools in the region have since been closed.
Thailand maintains it has not targeted civilian areas and accuses Cambodia of placing military installations near populated zones, effectively using civilians as “human shields.”
Evacuation centers have sprung up across the border provinces. In Surin, Thailand, hundreds took shelter in a university gymnasium, sitting on mats and waiting for basic supplies.
Pornpan Sooksai, a seamstress who fled with her four cats, described hearing explosions near her home. “We had prepared the cages and clothes already. When I heard the bombs, we just ran,” she said.
Another evacuee, Rattana Meeying, said this round of fighting felt worse than the 2011 border clashes. “Children, old people — they were hit without warning. I never imagined it would be this violent.”
The violence was reportedly triggered by a land mine explosion on Wednesday that injured five Thai soldiers. Since then, firefights and shelling have erupted across multiple flashpoints along the disputed frontier.
Both countries have long claimed ownership over historical and strategic sites along the border, including ancient temples. This latest escalation threatens to destabilize the region further unless diplomatic efforts take hold.
As of Saturday, efforts to reach a ceasefire remain fragile, with both sides reinforcing their positions — and thousands of civilians paying the price.
