26 July,2025 04:46 PM IST | Surin | mid-day online correspondent
Evacuees displaced by the ongoing conflict rest at a makeshift evacuation centre inside a Buddhist temple in Thailand. PIC/AFP
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fresh accusations on Saturday as the ongoing deadly clashes between the two borders spilled into a third consecutive day, claiming at least 33 lives and displacing more than 1.68 lakh people, news agency AP reported. The escalating violence has triggered mounting international calls for a ceasefire, with pressure intensifying on both the countries to reach a peaceful resolution.
Artillery fire and gunshots were reported near several villages along the border, widening the conflict that reignited on Thursday after a land mine explosion injured five Thai soldiers. Officials from both countries have claimed they were acting in retaliation for attacks initiated by the other side.
As tensions soared, both the two neighbours recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand announced the closure of its northeastern border crossings with Cambodia, AP reported.
On Saturday, Cambodia reported 12 more deaths, taking the toll to 13, while Thai officials confirmed the death of one soldier, following which the country's casualties in border clashes went up to 20. Most of those killed in Thailand were civilians.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is under growing scrutiny, with pressure mounting on the regional bloc to step in. During an emergency session on Friday, members of the UN Security Council called for immediate de-escalation and urged ASEAN to mediate a peaceful settlement, reported AP.
The 800-kilometre (500-mile) border between Thailand and Cambodia has long been contested, though previous incidents have typically been limited and short-lived. The latest flare-up dates back to May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a confrontation that sparked diplomatic tensions and stirred unrest in Thai domestic politics.
Fresh attacks and rising tensions
Cambodia's Ministry of Defence accused Thailand of expanding its offensive early on Saturday, alleging that five heavy artillery shells had struck various locations in Pursat province. The Ministry condemned the strikes as "an unprovoked and premeditated act of aggression."
Ministry spokesperson Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said tensions had also flared in Koh Kong province, where four Thai naval vessels were reportedly stationed offshore, with four more en route. She described the naval presence as "an act of aggression" and warned it risked further escalation.
According to Socheata, seven civilians and five Cambodian soldiers had been killed in two days of violence. Earlier reports stated that a man sheltering under a pagoda was killed when it was struck by Thai rockets.
Thailand's military denied deliberately targeting civilian areas, accusing Cambodian forces of placing weapons in residential zones and using "human shields".
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Navy, in a statement on Saturday, alleged that Cambodian troops had initiated a new assault in Trat province. "Thai forces responded swiftly and successfully pushed back the Cambodian incursion at three key points," it said, warning that "aggression will not be tolerated."
Thai authorities also claimed that several Cambodian artillery shells had landed across the border in Laos, causing damage to homes and property. Lao officials have not yet commented publicly.
The ongoing conflict has led to large-scale displacement. Cambodia's Information Minister, Neth Pheaktra, reported that 10,865 Cambodian families - approximately 37,635 people - had fled their homes in three provinces. Thai officials said more than 131,000 people had been displaced from their border villages.
Calls to protect civilians amid cluster bomb allegations
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the UN Security Council and the governments concerned to demand that both Thailand and Cambodia comply with international humanitarian law and prioritise civilian safety. The rights group said children had been injured in the violence and noted that at least 852 schools and seven hospitals had been shut by Thai authorities for safety reasons.
Both the countries have employed rocket and artillery fire. Although Thai officials initially denied Cambodian claims that cluster munitions - banned under international law - were being used, a military spokesperson on Friday said such weapons could be deployed "when necessary" against military targets. HRW condemned their use in populated areas.
Neither Thailand nor Cambodia is a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use of such weaponry. Thailand has previously employed them in a 2011 border conflict with Cambodia that resulted in 20 deaths.
"Neither Thailand nor Cambodia appears to be paying attention to international humanitarian law, at great expense to civilians," said John Sifton, Asia Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch. "Diplomatic efforts underway need to prioritise protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure."
Thai authorities have also acknowledged deploying F-16 fighter jets and drones in air strikes.
UN urges ASEAN to step in
Although the UN Security Council did not adopt a formal resolution during Friday's emergency session, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa stated that all 15 member nations called on both parties to show restraint, halt further attacks, and pursue a peaceful settlement. The Council also backed ASEAN's involvement as mediator.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose country currently chairs ASEAN, earlier announced that both Thailand and Cambodia were "open in principle" to his ceasefire proposal. Malaysian media reported that Anwar had tasked the foreign minister with mediating peace talks to halt the hostilities.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Maris said Thailand agreed in principle to the proposal, but insisted that Cambodia "must first demonstrate sincerity and stop the attacks." He added that Thailand would continue to engage constructively with Malaysia.
"Thailand reaffirms its commitment to resolving the conflict peacefully and in accordance with international law," Maris said, urging Cambodia to "return to the negotiating table with sincerity and in good faith."
(With AP inputs)
