Intense fighting between Thai and Cambodian military forces has left at least 15 people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 130,000 residents from both sides of the contested border. The deadly escalation marks the worst armed confrontation between the two South-east Asian nations in over a decade.
Heavy artillery and rocket fire continued into a second day on Friday, intensifying fears of broader conflict. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned that the situation could spiral into full-scale war if not addressed swiftly.
Ceasefire Stalls Amid Mutual Accusations
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire have faced setbacks. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed disappointment after Thailand reportedly withdrew support for a peace initiative led by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Hun Manet described the Thai reversal as “regrettable,” emphasising that Cambodia had backed the plan in good faith. He reiterated that peace hinges on Thailand’s willingness to commit to a ceasefire.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later clarified that it agrees with the ceasefire proposal “in principle,” but said any agreement must reflect “appropriate on-the-ground conditions.” The ministry accused Cambodian forces of conducting indiscriminate attacks that endangered Thai civilians, raising concerns over Cambodia’s intent.
“We remain open to dialogue,” said Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura, noting that ASEAN would be best placed to facilitate any third-party mediation, though it was “too early” for formal talks.
Violence Spreads Across Border
Thai military officials reported that fighting has spread to at least 12 locations along the border, doubling from the previous day. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri confirmed that Cambodia continues to deploy heavy artillery in the attacks.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health reported 14 deaths on its side—13 civilians and one soldier. In Cambodia, local officials in Oddar Meanchey province confirmed one death and five injuries from Thai shelling.
Over 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thai border areas, while Cambodian authorities reported approximately 20,000 residents fleeing the northern province of Preah Vihear. Martial law has been declared in eight Thai districts along the border, with more than 300 evacuation centres set up to house the displaced.
Reporting from Thailand’s Surin province, Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng described the evacuation sites as overcrowded and chaotic. “People keep arriving… It’s difficult to even estimate how many are here,” he said. Many older evacuees told reporters that the recent fighting is the worst seen in the region since the Khmer Rouge era in the late 1970s.
International Response and UN Involvement
The United Nations Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting to address the conflict. Meanwhile, global powers are urging restraint.
The United States, a longtime treaty ally of Thailand, has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. China, a close partner of Cambodia, expressed deep concern and called for both nations to resolve the issue through peaceful dialogue. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi offered Beijing’s assistance in defusing tensions.
Wang also cited colonial-era borders as the root cause of the current dispute. “This is a legacy of Western colonialism that must now be handled with maturity and diplomacy,” he stated during a meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing.
Colonial-Era Dispute at the Core
The dispute traces back to a 1907 map drawn during French colonial rule, which Cambodia uses to validate its border claims. Thailand, however, contends that the map is inaccurate and refuses to recognise it as a legal boundary.
Both countries accuse each other of initiating the recent round of violence. On Thursday, Thailand confirmed that it deployed an F-16 fighter jet in response to Cambodian rocket fire targeting Thai civilian areas—further inflaming tensions.
As the international community watches closely, hopes remain that regional diplomacy through ASEAN will prevail and prevent further loss of life.
