Fighting has resumed along the border between Cambodia and Thailand for the second consecutive day. While Bangkok has warned against the potential for these clashes to escalate into full-scale warfare and has rejected any mediation efforts, preferring to engage in bilateral discussions, the United Nations Security Council is set to convene to address the escalating situation.
Renewed fighting erupted yesterday along the Thailand-Cambodia border, forcing over 100,000 residents to flee their homes. Thai military spokesman Admiral Surasak Kongseiri reported that skirmishes occurred in 12 contested locations. The Thai military official stated at a press conference that Cambodia continued to deploy heavy weaponry in the conflict.
The Thai army cautioned on social media about the ongoing clashes in various border regions, urging residents in northeastern provinces to evacuate the area immediately.
According to the Thai Ministry of Health, more than 58,000 individuals have escaped from villages to temporary shelters in four affected border provinces, while Cambodian authorities reported that over 4,000 people were evacuated from areas close to the border. The violence has resulted in at least 14 deaths in Thailand, with Cambodia confirming its first fatality yesterday.
In response to the unrest, Thailand declared martial law in eight areas along the border with Cambodia. Abhisit Sapsirin, the Commander of Border Defense in Chanthaburi and Trat, announced that the martial law is now in effect in seven districts of Chanthaburi and one in Trat.
The Thai Deputy Prime Minister warned that the armed conflict with Cambodia could escalate into a war. Acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters that the intensity of the clashes is increasing, endangering civilian lives, and emphasized Thailand’s commitment to defend its territory and sovereignty. He noted that the circumstances could evolve into war but currently remain classified as armed conflicts involving heavy weaponry.
Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Ministry stated that Bangkok has turned down offers from third-party nations for mediation to resolve the conflict, insisting that Cambodia must cease its attacks and that the situation should be settled solely through bilateral talks.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorn Diga highlighted that the United States, China, and Malaysia have proposed to facilitate dialogue, but Bangkok prefers a bilateral resolution, asserting, “I don’t think we need any mediation from third countries at this moment.”
Calls for De-escalation
In a related development, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes both Thailand and Cambodia, announced that he has spoken with his counterparts in both nations. Ibrahim welcomed indications of progress and called for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the tensions.
Similarly, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his support for the Malaysian leader’s proposal for a ceasefire with Thailand, although Thailand later withdrew its initial endorsement of the proposal. Manet remarked on social media that the key to resolving the ongoing armed conflict lies in Thailand’s genuine willingness to accept a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency session to discuss the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia behind closed doors, as reported by diplomatic sources. The meeting has been convened at the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.