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Key Points

Artillery duels along the Thailand-Cambodia border have left dozens dead and wounded on both sides. Cambodian officials report heavy weapons being used while Thailand confirms civilian casualties. The UN has called for immediate de-escalation as thousands flee border villages. The clashes come amid political turmoil in Thailand following the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Key Points: Thailand Cambodia Border Clashes Escalate with Heavy Casualties

  • Thai forces report 14 dead and 46 injured in border clashes
  • Cambodia accuses Thailand of using F-16s and cluster bombs
  • Over 2,900 Cambodian families evacuated from conflict zones
  • UN urges restraint as tensions escalate between the neighboring nations
2 min read

Clashes continue in Thailand-Cambodia border areas, causing casualties on both sides

Deadly clashes erupt along Thailand-Cambodia border as artillery exchanges cause civilian casualties and mass evacuations.

"Fighting is still going on as of Friday morning - Met Meas Pheakdey, Oddar Meanchey Deputy Governor"

Bangkok/Phnom Penh, July 25

Clashes continued at several areas along the Thailand-Cambodia border areas, with Cambodian forces conducting sustained bombardment utilizing heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems, said reports.

Thai forces responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation and issued advisories to local civilians to avoid entering areas of clashes.

Early on Friday, the sound of artillery fire was heard again near the border area, the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand reported, citing a local official in Surin province.

According to the deputy spokesperson of the Thai Ministry of Public Health, 14 Thai people were killed and 46 others injured in military clashes near the Thailand-Cambodia border as of 9:00 p.m. local time on Thursday.

Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey deputy governor, Met Meas Pheakdey, told Xinhua over the telephone that one villager was killed and five others were wounded on Thursday when the Thai side fired artillery shells into Cambodian territory.

"More than 2,900 families living near the border have been evacuated to a safe refuge," he added.

"Fighting is still going on as of Friday morning," he said.

Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and spokesperson, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, said in a press briefing on Friday morning that the Thai troops had used heavy weapons and F-16 fighter jets as well as cluster bombs to attack several locations in the Cambodian provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear, Xinhua news agency reported.

The conflict drew swift international concern.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides "to exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue," according to deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested an emergency session, which was held behind closed doors in New York on Friday.

Thailand sealed all land border crossings and advised its citizens to leave Cambodia.

All seven Thai airlines offered to help repatriate Thai nationals.

Meanwhile, the conflict has added pressure to Thailand's domestic politics.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended on July 1 amid an ethics probe linked to her handling of a phone call with Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is now leading the response, warning Cambodia against further aggression.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The civilian casualties are heartbreaking! Why can't ASEAN intervene more strongly? After Doklam, we've seen how patient diplomacy works. Hope UN mediation succeeds before more lives are lost.
A
Arjun K
This shows how border disputes can flare up anytime. India must learn from this and strengthen our border infrastructure. The situation could easily turn into a full-blown war if not controlled.
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Sarah B
While the article presents both sides, I feel it's biased towards Thailand's version. The Cambodian casualties seem underreported. Media should be more balanced in conflict reporting.
V
Vikram M
F-16s and cluster bombs? This is getting too dangerous! Remember how the Kargil conflict started small. Hope our MEA is monitoring closely - many Indian tourists visit both countries.
K
Kavya N
The political angle is concerning. When leaders use border tensions to divert from domestic issues, innocent people suffer. Both governments must prioritize peace over politics. #StopTheViolence

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