Thailand and Cambodia have entered into a second day of artillery exchanges, with casualties continuing to rise on both sides. The international community has called for a ceasefire, while the UN Security Council (UNSC) was scheduled to hold an urgent meeting behind closed doors on the border clashes on 25 July.

On Friday (25 July), the Royal Thai Army reported that clashes began at around 4:00 am at Chong Bok and Phu Makhuea in Ubon Ratchathani Province and in Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province. The report said the Cambodian side fired continuous barrages of heavy artillery and BM-21 rockets. It was not until 8.00 am that the Thai side fired in response.

According to the latest report at 8 pm, 13 civilians were killed, 10 sustained serious injuries, 10 suffered moderate injuries, and 13 had minor injuries. In addition, at least 130,000 people in Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, and Si Saket provinces have been displaced due to the ongoing clashes.

Meanwhile, 6 Thai military personnel were killed, 7 sustained serious injuries, 5 suffered moderate injuries, and 3 had minor injuries.

It was also reported that BM-21 rocket strikes have caused damage to civilian residences at three sites in Ubon Ratchathani. However, there was no report of deaths or injuries from the incidents.

Medical personnel and patients in 11 hospitals in the attack radius were also evacuated, with four hospitals temporarily ceasing operations.

In the evening, it was reported that martial law has been declared in seven districts in Chanthaburi and one district in Trat province.

The escalation resulted from the Thai Acting Prime Minister’s recall of the country’s ambassador to Cambodia on Wednesday (23 July) following injuries to five more Thai military personnel by landmines along the Thai-Cambodian border.  

Casualties in Cambodia

According to Cambodian media outlets, one Cambodian civilian was killed and five others were injured in Oddar Meanchey Province. Approximately 2,400 families have been evacuated from conflict zones in the province.

The evacuees include residents from 12 villages and three communes in Banteay Ampil district, located near the areas of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces around Ta Muen Thom Temple, Ta Kwai Temple, and Thma Daun.

Oddar Meanchey provincial spokesperson Met Measpheakdey confirmed that 260 schools across the province have been closed due to the ongoing Thai incursion.

Hun Sen and Hun Manet must be responsible for the attack on Thai civilians, says Phumtham

Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai said he met the Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, who he said wanted to find a solution to end the confrontation, and Thailand did not object, but Cambodia must first agree to a ceasefire, adding that Thailand repeatedly tried to engage in dialogue, but those efforts failed.

The Acting PM strongly condemned Hun Sen and asserted that Cambodian PM Hun Manet must be held responsible for attacking civilians, particularly the attack on a convenience store at a gas station and the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital.

He noted that dialogue could not happen if the Cambodian side continued attacks on Thailand, and it was clear that Cambodia intends to violate international law.

In his evening press briefing, Phumtham reiterated that despite Thailand's restraint in the face of Cambodia's provocation, Cambodia had consistently chosen to use force. Cambodian forces launched attacks on hospitals and civilian facilities more than 20 kilometres away from the border.

In addition, the Foreign Ministry coordinated with Thai commercial airlines to arrange special flights to bring Thai people home safely, and the government was providing full medical treatment for injured military personnel and compensation for families of those who were killed.

"I would like to reiterate that this incident is not a conflict between the people of the two countries, and this is not a declaration of war. It is rather clashes along the border to protect sovereignty and to properly respond to an invader," said Phumtham. 

UNSC to hold an urgent meeting

After Hun Manet submitted an official request t the President of the UN Security Council, requesting him to convene an urgent meeting to address Thai aggression, the UNSC scheduled an emergency meeting for 25 July.

Meanwhile, Thailand has a letter to the UNSC insisting that Cambodia opened fire first, and that a large number of Thai civilians were killed or injured. The UNSC President was also asked to circulate Thailand's letter to UNSC members.

It was reported that Thailand will send Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Ambassador to the United Nations, to attend the meeting.

In a media briefing, Foreign Minister Spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura expressed confidence that the evidence from the Thai side was grounded and reaffirmed that Thailand was attacked first, adding that the country’s response was proportionate, aimed at defending its sovereignty and protecting its people.

International community raises concern over the escalating border clashes

Since the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia erupted on 24 July, several embassies and international organisations have raised concerns. Several embassies in Bangkok issued warnings against travelling to Thailand and the disputed border.

“The United States is gravely concerned by reports of the escalating fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border. We are particularly alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians. We express our deepest condolences on the loss of life. We strongly urge the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes,” said the  Office of the Spokesperson of the US Department of State in a press statement on 25 July.

"We urge both parties to exercise utmost restraint and to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions. Malaysia wishes to underscore the importance of resolving the border dispute through dialogue and diplomacy in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and good neighbourliness," said the Malaysian Foreign Minister.

Antonio Guterres also urged “both sides to exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighbourliness, to find a lasting solution to the dispute”.

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights also urgently called on the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to choose restraint over retaliation and dialogue over destruction. In the face of escalating violence along the border, ASEAN must act with moral clarity to protect the lives and dignity of border communities, according to the APHR.