Fri Jul 25 01:03:51 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Deadly Clashes Erupt on Thai-Cambodian Border**

**Surin, Thailand – July 25, 2025** – A major escalation of tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border has resulted in at least 14 deaths, the majority of whom were civilians, after intense fighting involving small arms, artillery, rockets, and airstrikes. The clashes, which began on Thursday, July 24th, 2025, intensified overnight and continued into Friday morning, prompting international concern and calls for de-escalation.

The conflict erupted after a landmine explosion on Wednesday injured five Thai soldiers, leading Thailand to withdraw its ambassador from Cambodia and expel Cambodia’s envoy to Thailand.

On Friday, fighting was reported near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province. General Khov Ly, a Cambodian official, reported that at least four civilians were wounded in Thursday’s fighting and over 4,000 people have been displaced.

Both sides are trading blame for the violence. Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin condemned attacks on civilians and a hospital, calling them violations of international law. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reported fighting affecting four provinces and ordered evacuations 50 kilometers from the border. In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Manet has requested an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council, accusing Thailand of aggression.

Thailand has sealed all land border crossings and is offering assistance to Thai nationals in Cambodia who wish to return home.

The conflict represents a significant escalation of existing border disputes between the two ASEAN nations, though Thailand has tangled with Cambodia before over the border and has had sporadic skirmishes with western neighbor Myanmar. Previous major combat occurred in 2011, resulting in 20 fatalities.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency closed meeting for Friday afternoon in New York.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura stated the government is “prepared to intensify our self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its armed aggression and violations upon Thailand’s sovereignty.”

Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt. General Maly Socheata insisted Cambodia’s actions were defensive and targeted only military sites.

The border dispute has also created political turbulence in Thailand, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra currently suspended from office pending an ethics investigation related to a phone call with Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen.
###

Read More