Tens of thousands of people along the Thai-Cambodian border have sought refuge as clashes between the two neighbours’ troops entered a second day, with fighting reported in several areas.
The number of Thai civilians evacuated from Thailand’s border regions with Cambodia has risen to more than 138,000.
The Thai Health Ministry said in a statement that 138,013 civilians and 428 hospital patients had been evacuated from the border region since cross-border fighting began yesterday, Thursday, July 24, 2025.
People who fled their homes near the Cambodia-Thailand border rest in the grounds of a pagoda in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province.
Thailand and Cambodia continued to exchange fire, as their worst cross-border fighting in years that has killed some 15 people – mostly civilians – entered a second day.
Fighting has spread to 12 locations along the disputed Thai-Cambodia border, a Thai military official said, indicating a broadening of the conflict.
The Thai military first reported a single clash, which then spread to six locations on Thursday.
Thai Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a military Spokesperson, also told a news conference that Cambodian forces were continuing to use heavy weapons in their attacks on Thai territory.
Nikorndej Balankura, the Spokesperson of Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said in an interview that the country is seeking a bilateral solution to the “escalated armed confrontation” with Cambodia.
The Spokesperson said that the United States, China and Malaysia have offered to facilitate dialogue with Cambodia but added that the Thai government is seeking a bilateral solution to the situation.
“I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet.
“We stand by our position that bilateral mechanism is the best way out. This is a confrontation between the two countries.”
Nikorndej Balankura
Nikorndej added that the Cambodian side must stop violence along the border first. “Our doors are still open,” Nikorndej stated.
Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, the current Chairperson of 10-nation ASEAN, of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members, said on Thursday that he had spoken to the leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful resolution. “If the ASEAN family wants to facilitate a return to constructive bilateral negotiations, that’s welcome as well,” Nikorndej said.
UNSC To Hold Emergency Meeting On Cambodia-Thailand Conflict
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will hold an emergency session later today to discuss the escalating border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
The session will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York at 3:00pm (19:00 GMT).
The session comes in response to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s request on Thursday that the UNSC convene an “urgent meeting.”
Separately, in a letter to the UN, Thailand’s mission to the global body blamed the “military aggression of Cambodia” for threatening the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand.”
The letter, published by the Thai national daily Thairath, said that on Thursday, Cambodian soldiers “opened fire” on a Thai military base in the province of Surin, injuring two Thai soldiers and triggering a retaliation.
It added that the “unprovoked” armed attacks launched by Cambodian armed forces are a “clear violation” of the UN Charter and “the principles of friendly relations and peaceful coexistence between states.”
Thailand also condemned Cambodia’s “indiscriminate attacks on civilians.” The letter asserted that Thailand remains firmly committed to the peaceful settlement of the dispute and resolutely rejects the use of force as a means to resolve international disputes.
It also urged the international community to call on Cambodia to “resume negotiations in good faith.”
For its part, Cambodia has accused Thailand of starting the fighting and requested that the UN Security Council convene the “urgent meeting.”
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