Tensions Erupt Between Cambodia and Thailand: Over 30 Dead as Phnom Penh Demands Immediate Ceasefire

July 26, 2025

The fragile peace between Cambodia and Thailand has shattered once again, as fierce border clashes since Thursday have killed at least 32 people, including both civilians and soldiers, and forced the displacement of nearly 200,000 residents. The deadly escalation prompted Cambodia to call for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, amid fears the situation could spiral into a full-blown war.

Phnom Penh Calls for Truce; Bangkok Demands “Sincerity”

Speaking to the United Nations, Cambodian ambassador Chhea Keo emphasized Phnom Penh’s willingness to end the conflict through peaceful dialogue. “We are not setting any preconditions,” he said. “Cambodia seeks a peaceful resolution to this decades-long dispute.”

But Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa countered that any ceasefire negotiations would require “genuine sincerity” from Cambodia, accusing Phnom Penh of provocative actions along the southern border.

Death Toll Rises, Martial Law Declared

Clashes have so far left 19 Thais dead, including 13 civilians, with Thailand declaring martial law in eight districts bordering Cambodia. Bangkok has evacuated more than 140,000 people, while Cambodia reported 13 deaths and the displacement of over 35,000 civilians.

The Thai military accused Cambodian forces of launching new assaults near the southern coast and deploying rocket launchers and heavy artillery into Thai territory. In retaliation, Thailand claims to have pushed back the attacks with naval and air force strikes.

Allegations of War Crimes Surface

The conflict took a darker turn as Cambodia accused Thailand of using cluster munitions, which are banned under international law due to their indiscriminate impact on civilian areas. While Thailand has not responded to the accusation, its government insists that Cambodian troops fired into populated villages, causing damage to homes, hospitals, and infrastructure.

Historical Fault Lines Reopen

Though the latest clashes erupted suddenly, the underlying tensions trace back over a century, when the colonial-era French redrew borders between Cambodia and Siam (now Thailand). The Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO heritage site, has long stood at the heart of these disputes.

Hostilities intensified in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register the 11th-century temple under its sole authority, sparking violent opposition from Thailand. Sporadic skirmishes over the years have resulted in casualties on both sides.

In May 2025, bilateral relations hit a new low after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief but fierce clash. That incident triggered retaliatory trade bans and a massive military build-up by both sides along the border.

A Timeline of Thursday’s Clash

According to Thailand’s National Security Council, the recent violence began when Cambodia deployed surveillance drones near Thai troop positions. Cambodian soldiers armed with rocket-propelled grenades approached the border at around 7:30 a.m., and by 8:20 a.m., heavy gunfire broke out.

Cambodia, however, tells a different story. Its Ministry of Defense accuses Thailand of violating an earlier truce by advancing on a sacred temple and placing barbed wire around its base. Cambodian sources say Thai forces opened fire first, prompting a self-defense response.

The exact sequence of events remains disputed, but both sides agree the fighting quickly escalated to include airstrikes and artillery bombardments across at least 12 conflict zones.

Regional and Global Response

The conflict has drawn swift condemnation. ASEAN Chair and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has offered to mediate, while the United States urged “an immediate cessation of hostilities and protection of civilians.”

Despite global pressure, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai dismissed the need for third-party mediation, signaling that Bangkok prefers bilateral resolution.

China, meanwhile, has warned its citizens in Cambodia to avoid the Thai border as the situation remains volatile.

Will It Spiral Into Full-Scale War?

Experts remain cautiously optimistic that the current conflict, while bloody and intense, will not evolve into a full-scale war. Analyst Jonathan Head points out that previous border flare-ups de-escalated quickly, though he warns of the absence of strong leadership on either side to negotiate a peaceful outcome.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has reiterated that his country does not seek war but will “respond with armed force against armed aggression” if necessary.

Travel Advisories Issued

While the fighting is mostly localized, several countries are updating travel advisories. The UK Foreign Office has not issued a blanket warning yet but is urging tourists to avoid border temples such as Preah Vihear, Ta Kwai, and Ta Muen Thom, where previous clashes occurred.

With the death toll rising and both governments hardening their rhetoric, the international community is bracing for further instability in Southeast Asia. Whether this historic rivalry can be resolved diplomatically remains uncertain. One thing, however, is clear: the people along the Thai-Cambodian border are paying the highest price.