The UN Security Council is set to convene an emergency session on Friday as fierce clashes between Thailand and Cambodia continue to escalate, marking the worst violence along their shared border in more than a decade.
Over 100,000 people have fled their homes amid the bloodiest outbreak of hostilities since 2011. Thailand’s interior ministry reported that residents from four border provinces have been relocated to nearly 300 temporary shelters. The death toll has risen to 14—13 civilians and one soldier—according to the Thai health ministry.
The long-standing border dispute erupted into full-scale conflict on Thursday, with both sides exchanging artillery, rocket fire, and deploying tanks, fighter jets, and ground troops. Six flashpoints along the border—including areas near two ancient temples—became active battle zones, according to the Thai army.
Terrified Civilians Flee as Artillery Fire Intensifies
In the Cambodian border town of Samraong, located just 20 kilometers from the frontier, AFP journalists reported hearing shelling early Friday morning. As gunfire resumed around 6:00 a.m., frightened residents began to flee once again.
“I live very close to the border. We are scared because they started shooting again this morning,” said 41-year-old Pro Bak, who was evacuating with his wife and children to a Buddhist temple for safety. “I don’t know when we’ll be able to return home.”
Journalists witnessed soldiers rushing to deploy rocket launchers and heading toward conflict zones, as military reinforcements continued to pour in on both sides.
Rising Diplomatic Tensions and Regional Concern
The current flare-up follows a deadly clash in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed, reigniting tensions that had largely remained dormant since a 2013 UN court ruling. Between 2008 and 2011, skirmishes over the disputed 800-kilometre (500-mile) border left at least 28 dead and tens of thousands displaced.
Thursday’s violence coincided with a dramatic diplomatic breakdown: Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine. Cambodia responded by downgrading diplomatic ties to the lowest level and expelling Thai diplomats from Phnom Penh.
Amid escalating violence, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for urgent international intervention, prompting the UN Security Council to schedule an emergency meeting.
International Community Calls for Calm
The United States has urged an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and emphasized the need to protect civilians. France echoed the sentiment, while both the European Union and China expressed deep concern and called for de-escalation and dialogue.
Thailand has accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital and a petrol station struck by shells and rockets. Cambodia, in turn, blames Thailand for initiating the conflict.
With no clear sign of de-escalation, the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains volatile, and the international community is intensifying efforts to broker peace before the conflict spirals further out of control.
