Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn briefed diplomats anddefence attachés on the border situation.
– Clashes occurred between Cambodian and Thai forces on last week of July, with both sides blaming each other for violations.
– Thai military reported Cambodian forces used heavy weapons, including field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems, while Thai forces responded with supporting fire.
– As of July 25, 14 Thai individuals were killed and 46 injured; one Cambodian villager was killed and five wounded.
– Over 2,900 families near the border have been evacuated to safe locations due to ongoing fighting.
– UN security council closeddoor meeting was scheduled to discuss the border clashes, requested by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both countries to exercise maximum restraint and resolve issues through dialogue.
– The Thai embassy to Cambodia advised Thai nationals to leave the country amid escalating tensions.
– The majority of the fighting has occurred near the Cambodian town of Samraong, close to the border, with artillery fire reported by residents.
– Cambodia reported that 536 schools in border provinces were closed due to the ongoing border conflict, affecting 130,000 students and teachers.
– At least 13 Cambodians died and 71 were injured in border clashes with Thailand, which have been ongoing for three days. This includes five Cambodian soldiers killed and 21 wounded, as well as 8 civilian deaths and 50 injuries in Oddar Meanchey province.
– The conflict has forced 10,307 families (35,829 people) to flee their homes for safer areas.
– The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense reported that the Thai army expanded its military attacks to Pursat province. The clashes began after the Cambodian side opened fire on Thai troops.
– The Thai Air Force deployed two F-16s and 2 Gripens to attack Cambodian military targets. The Thai Navy launched “Trat Strike 1” operation in response to Cambodian attacks. The Thai army sent letters to 26 countries, briefing them on the border situation and accusing the Cambodian army of opening fire first and attacking non-military targets.
– The Thai army accused the Cambodian army of laying anti-personnel landmines in Thai territory, violating the Ottawa Convention.
– Both the Thai army and Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister conducted briefings for diplomatic corps and defense attachés regarding the border situation.
– Tensions remain high along the Thai-Cambodian border, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law.
– Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa stated that Cambodia must show sincerity for any ceasefire or talks to proceed. Thailand is open to talks, possibly facilitated by Malaysia. Overall, it looks like Thailand threw a barrage of revenge attacks taking advantage of Cambodia’s lack of an Air Force and anti-aircraft batteries, after suffering initial losses on physical front at the border and emotional front that resulted in their Prime Minister getting suspended due to her disparaging remarks on her own military.
– According to a statement issued by the Thai Foreign Ministry, the first shots were fired into Thai territory by Cambodia.
– Cambodian Defence Ministry’s Undersecretary of State, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, stated that the Thai army fired artillery at various locations in the Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces. Fresh artillery clashes erupted on the following days near two long-contested ancient temples in the frontier region between northern Cambodia and northeast Thailand.
– Thailand said August 2 that it agrees in principle to entering a ceasefire with Cambodia and beginning a “bilateral dialogue” aimed at ending the nations’ deadliest fighting in more than a decade.
– Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday said his country “agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces.”
Yan Shin, [9/2/2025 7:36 PM]
– The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours over their shared 800-kilometre border where dozens of kilometres are contested.
– US President Donald Trump, once again jumping on his trade bandwagon, called for a ceasefire after holding calls with the heads of state of both nations. Evantually, Thai and Cambodia’s leaders have agreed to implement a ceasefire starting midnight on July 28, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said following a meeting hosted by him. At a joint press conference with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai following the ceasefire talks, Anwar outlined a step-bystep de-escalation process and the mechanism through which it will be implemented and monitored. “Both Cambodia and Thailand reached a common understanding as follows — an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with effect from 24:00 hours (local time) on 28 July 2025. This is a vital first step towards de escalation and the restoration of peace and security,” he said.
According to Anwar, the initial ceasefire will be followed by the reestablishment of contacts between the regional army commanders on both sides through a face-to-face meeting at 7 am local time on July 29, which will be followed by a meeting of the defence attaches of both sides, led by the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) if both sides are agreeable, and finally a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on August 4 to be hosted by Cambodia. “As the current chair of ASEAN, Malaysia stands ready to coordinate an observer team to verify and ensure the implementation of the ceasefire. Malaysia will also consult with fellow ASEAN member states to participate in the observation effort, reflecting a regional commitment to supporting peace on the ground,” he said. “Both sides also agree to resume direct communications between both prime ministers, foreign ministers and defence ministers,” Anwar added.
