[Thai-Cambodian Conflict] Thai and Cambodian Troops Exchange Fire Again at Dawn; Cambodia Urges Immediate Ceasefire at UN

According to Thai Public Television, at around 5:10 a.m. on the 26th (6:10 a.m. Malaysia time), Cambodian forces opened fire on Thai troops in Thailand's Trat Province, to which the Thai side retaliated, and both sides began exchanging fire again.

AFP reports that after two consecutive days of clashes with Thailand resulting in casualties, Cambodia's ambassador to the United Nations stated on the 25th (U.S. Eastern Time) that the Cambodian side demands an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire”; Bangkok also expressed willingness to begin negotiations.

The long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia escalated on the 24th into fierce fighting, with both sides deploying aircraft, artillery, armored vehicles, and ground troops. The Thai side said that at 4 a.m. on the 25th, both sides exchanged fire again in three areas, with the Cambodian side using heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, to which the Thai army responded with “appropriate firepower.”

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the afternoon of the 25th (local time) regarding the crisis between the two countries in recent days.

Cambodia’s ambassador to the UN, Chea Chhea, said after the closed-door Security Council meeting with both Cambodian and Thai participation: “Cambodia requests an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and we also call for resolving the dispute through peaceful means.”

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikonde told AFP that by the afternoon of the 25th (local time), the fighting was showing signs of easing, and said that Bangkok is open to negotiations and possibly mediation assistance from Malaysia.

He said, “If Cambodia is willing to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels, bilateral talks, or even with the help of Malaysia, we are prepared. However, we have not yet received a response from the Cambodian side.” Nikonde made these remarks in an interview with AFP before the Security Council’s emergency meeting.

Thailand’s Ministry of Health stated that more than 138,000 people have been evacuated from border areas, reporting 15 deaths (including 14 civilians and 1 soldier), and another 46 injured, including 15 soldiers.

The Cambodian government has yet to report casualty figures, but a provincial official revealed that one person has died.