Cambodia Demands Ceasefire Amid Escalating Border Clashes with Thailand
Tensions flare with heavy weapons, thousands displaced; Thailand imposes martial law.
Cambodia has urgently called for an immediate halt to hostilities with neighboring Thailand. The plea follows two days of intense cross-border fighting that has claimed at least 16 lives and displaced tens of thousands of people.
Escalation and Accusations
Cambodia’s UN ambassador, **Chhea Keo**, stated that Phnom Penh is seeking an “unconditional” truce and a “peaceful solution” to the ongoing dispute. Thailand has not yet publicly responded to this ceasefire proposal, but has declared martial law in eight districts situated along its border with Cambodia.
The situation has dramatically worsened, with **Phumtham Wechayachai**, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, warning on Friday that the clashes could “move towards war.” He indicated that the conflict now involves heavy weaponry and has expanded to twelve locations along the shared frontier.
Thailand has accused Cambodian forces of firing into civilian areas, prompting evacuations from villages deemed within rocket range. Conversely, Cambodia has alleged that Thailand employed cluster munitions, weapons known for their indiscriminate impact and banned in many parts of the world. Thailand has offered no comment on these specific accusations.
International Appeals and Thai Stance
Despite appeals for an immediate ceasefire from global leaders, Thailand’s foreign minister conveyed to Reuters that there is “no need” for third-party mediation. **Anwar Ibrahim**, Prime Minister of Malaysia and chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), had offered to mediate discussions between the two nations.
The United States has also called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
Human Cost and Historical Roots
Thailand reports 14 civilian deaths and one soldier killed across its Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Srisaket provinces. Cambodian provincial authorities confirm at least one civilian fatality on their side.
Conflicting accounts surround the start of the violence. Thailand asserts that Cambodia initiated the conflict by deploying surveillance drones near Thai troops. Cambodia, however, claims Thai soldiers violated a prior agreement by advancing towards a Khmer-Hindu temple situated near the border.
This border dispute is deeply rooted, stemming from historical territorial divisions following France’s occupation of Cambodia over a century ago. Sporadic armed clashes have occurred periodically throughout the years, resulting in casualties on both sides. Recent tensions escalated significantly in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation, marking the lowest point in bilateral relations in over a decade.
