(Bangkok/Phnom Penh, 27th Comprehensive News) The Thai-Cambodian conflict has further escalated, with reports of exchanges of fire between the two militaries in Thailand’s coastal Trat province, and Cambodia’s opposite Pursat province also coming under shelling. In the three days since hostilities began, over 30 people have died and more than 150,000 have fled the conflict area.
The fighting has spilled over into neighboring Laos. According to local media, ten shells landed in southwest Champasak province, damaging several homes and properties. Thailand claims, after inspection, that the shells were fired by Cambodia, but Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense denies this, asserting the claim is baseless and accusing Thailand of trying to create confusion.
US President Holds Calls with Thai and Cambodian Leaders to Urge Ceasefire
US President Trump posted on social media on Saturday (July 26) that he had spoken with Thai Acting Prime Minister Pheu Tham and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and that both expressed a desire for an immediate ceasefire.
Trump said he is trying to "simplify this complex situation" and declared that the US would not conclude any trade agreements with Thailand or Cambodia prior to a ceasefire. “After speaking with both sides, a ceasefire, peace, and prosperity seem within reach. Let’s wait and see!”
The Thai-Cambodian border conflict entered its third day on Saturday. The Thai Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that in the early hours of Saturday, Cambodian forces launched attacks on three locations in Trat province in the southeast corner of Thailand, prompting Thailand to dispatch four warships off the coast of Trat to join ground forces in repelling the Cambodian military at the border. This marks the first time the Thai navy has participated in this conflict.
The Thai military also reported the sounds of gunfire and explosions in Sa Kaeo province. So far, six of the seven Thai provinces along the Cambodian border have been affected by the fighting.
Thailand’s public television reported that on Saturday, the Thai Air Force sent two F-16 fighter jets and two Gripen fighters to strike two Cambodian military bases.
The Cambodian government accused Thailand of attacking not only military targets but also non-military sites such as Cambodian schools and temples. In the northwestern province of Pursat and several other border provinces, a total of 536 schools have been forced to suspend classes, affecting around 130,000 teachers and students. The Cambodian Civil Aviation Authority issued a no-fly order on Saturday, prohibiting all flights over the war zone.
Cambodian forces are reportedly using Chinese-made PHL-03 multiple rocket launchers, but Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense staunchly denied this, emphasizing that given the current situation, there is no need to deploy such weapons. Chinese officials also denied allegations that Beijing has provided new weapons to Cambodian forces in the ongoing conflict, stressing that all Chinese-made weapons in Cambodia’s arsenal were purchased under past military cooperation agreements.
As of Saturday, Cambodia reported 13 deaths in the conflict, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with another 71 people injured. Thailand has confirmed 20 deaths, including 13 civilians and seven soldiers, with more than 60 injured.
Thailand and Cambodia have each accused the other of firing first and undermining ceasefire efforts. The Royal Thai Army, via military attachés, has sent letters to 26 countries—including China, the United States, and ASEAN members—alleging that Cambodia first attacked Thai civilians, communities, and hospitals, violating Thai sovereignty and international humanitarian principles.
The Cambodian Ministry of Defense issued a statement condemning the Thai military for unprovoked and deliberate attacks on Cambodia, and emphasized that Cambodian forces would firmly counter all acts of aggression.
Since the outbreak of the border clashes, ASEAN’s rotating chair Malaysia, the United States, and China have all offered to mediate. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar said on Saturday that he would continue to contact leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to promote a ceasefire and peace process.
Cambodia supports Anwar’s initiative, and Thailand also agrees in principle, but Thai Foreign Minister Mari told the media on Saturday that the precondition for a ceasefire or dialogue is for Cambodia to demonstrate sincerity, cease violations of Thai sovereignty, and resume bilateral talks to resolve the issue.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin visited the border area on Saturday to meet with evacuees and told the media: "Before initiating any dialogue, the military must first complete its mission."
He also criticized former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing him of a "distorted mindset," but denied claims that the conflict was caused by a feud between his family and Hun Sen’s. He said: “This is not a personal vendetta, nor a conflict between two families. The issue arises from Cambodian resentment toward Thailand. We have not done anything provocative.”
Thaksin’s daughter, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn, is facing an impeachment crisis and has been suspended from her post by the Constitutional Court after a leaked recording of a call with Hun Sen. Thaksin later alleged that Hun Sen had orchestrated the incident to frame Paetongtarn.
The fighting has spilled over into neighboring Laos. According to local media, ten shells landed in southwest Champasak province, damaging several homes and properties. Thailand claims, after inspection, that the shells were fired by Cambodia, but Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense denies this, asserting the claim is baseless and accusing Thailand of trying to create confusion.
US President Holds Calls with Thai and Cambodian Leaders to Urge Ceasefire
US President Trump posted on social media on Saturday (July 26) that he had spoken with Thai Acting Prime Minister Pheu Tham and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and that both expressed a desire for an immediate ceasefire.
Trump said he is trying to "simplify this complex situation" and declared that the US would not conclude any trade agreements with Thailand or Cambodia prior to a ceasefire. “After speaking with both sides, a ceasefire, peace, and prosperity seem within reach. Let’s wait and see!”
The Thai-Cambodian border conflict entered its third day on Saturday. The Thai Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that in the early hours of Saturday, Cambodian forces launched attacks on three locations in Trat province in the southeast corner of Thailand, prompting Thailand to dispatch four warships off the coast of Trat to join ground forces in repelling the Cambodian military at the border. This marks the first time the Thai navy has participated in this conflict.
The Thai military also reported the sounds of gunfire and explosions in Sa Kaeo province. So far, six of the seven Thai provinces along the Cambodian border have been affected by the fighting.
Thailand’s public television reported that on Saturday, the Thai Air Force sent two F-16 fighter jets and two Gripen fighters to strike two Cambodian military bases.
The Cambodian government accused Thailand of attacking not only military targets but also non-military sites such as Cambodian schools and temples. In the northwestern province of Pursat and several other border provinces, a total of 536 schools have been forced to suspend classes, affecting around 130,000 teachers and students. The Cambodian Civil Aviation Authority issued a no-fly order on Saturday, prohibiting all flights over the war zone.
Cambodian forces are reportedly using Chinese-made PHL-03 multiple rocket launchers, but Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense staunchly denied this, emphasizing that given the current situation, there is no need to deploy such weapons. Chinese officials also denied allegations that Beijing has provided new weapons to Cambodian forces in the ongoing conflict, stressing that all Chinese-made weapons in Cambodia’s arsenal were purchased under past military cooperation agreements.
As of Saturday, Cambodia reported 13 deaths in the conflict, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with another 71 people injured. Thailand has confirmed 20 deaths, including 13 civilians and seven soldiers, with more than 60 injured.
Thailand and Cambodia have each accused the other of firing first and undermining ceasefire efforts. The Royal Thai Army, via military attachés, has sent letters to 26 countries—including China, the United States, and ASEAN members—alleging that Cambodia first attacked Thai civilians, communities, and hospitals, violating Thai sovereignty and international humanitarian principles.
The Cambodian Ministry of Defense issued a statement condemning the Thai military for unprovoked and deliberate attacks on Cambodia, and emphasized that Cambodian forces would firmly counter all acts of aggression.
Since the outbreak of the border clashes, ASEAN’s rotating chair Malaysia, the United States, and China have all offered to mediate. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar said on Saturday that he would continue to contact leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to promote a ceasefire and peace process.
Cambodia supports Anwar’s initiative, and Thailand also agrees in principle, but Thai Foreign Minister Mari told the media on Saturday that the precondition for a ceasefire or dialogue is for Cambodia to demonstrate sincerity, cease violations of Thai sovereignty, and resume bilateral talks to resolve the issue.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin visited the border area on Saturday to meet with evacuees and told the media: "Before initiating any dialogue, the military must first complete its mission."
He also criticized former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing him of a "distorted mindset," but denied claims that the conflict was caused by a feud between his family and Hun Sen’s. He said: “This is not a personal vendetta, nor a conflict between two families. The issue arises from Cambodian resentment toward Thailand. We have not done anything provocative.”
Thaksin’s daughter, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn, is facing an impeachment crisis and has been suspended from her post by the Constitutional Court after a leaked recording of a call with Hun Sen. Thaksin later alleged that Hun Sen had orchestrated the incident to frame Paetongtarn.