Thai Leader Warns Cross-Border Conflict with Cambodia Could Spiral Into War

Thailand’s acting leader has sounded the alarm over ongoing hostilities with neighboring Cambodia, cautioning that the clashes, which have already led to at least 16 fatalities and the displacement of tens of thousands, could escalate into full-scale war.

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that intense weaponry was now being used in the conflict and that the violence had extended to a dozen different points along the border.

Thai authorities further alleged that Cambodian forces had shelled civilian zones, prompting the evacuation of every village considered to be within reach of incoming fire.

Meanwhile, Cambodia leveled serious accusations against Thailand, claiming its military deployed cluster bombs — a controversial weapon banned in many parts of the world due to its wide and indiscriminate impact on civilians. Thailand has not addressed these claims publicly.

Despite growing calls for de-escalation, Thailand’s foreign minister asserted that the dispute does not yet warrant outside mediation, even as international leaders push for both sides to cease fire immediately.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who leads ASEAN, previously extended an offer to help broker discussions between Thailand and Cambodia.

“I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward,” Anwar said in a Facebook post on Thursday evening.

However, Thai foreign ministry representative Nikorndej Balankura insisted that only a direct dialogue between the two nations can resolve the matter, asserting that Cambodia must halt its offensive strategies.

“I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet,” Nikorndej said.

These statements came as both governments updated casualty figures from the cross-border violence.

According to Thai officials, 14 civilians and a soldier have been killed so far. Meanwhile, Cambodian authorities from the province of Oddar Meanchey confirmed the death of one civilian.

The United States urged both parties to end hostilities and protect civilians.

“We are … gravely concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand Cambodia border, and deeply saddened by reports of harm to civilians,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott during a briefing.

China, which maintains close diplomatic and strategic ties with both Bangkok and Phnom Penh, also voiced concern and encouraged the two nations to engage in peaceful discussions.

Australia, the European Union, and France joined the global chorus calling for restraint and dialogue.

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to deliberate on the conflict this Friday.

In a written appeal to the council on Thursday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the UN to take steps to “stop Thailand’s aggression.”

Both sides have blamed each other for initiating the flare-up on Thursday.

Thailand said the confrontation began when Cambodian forces deployed drones to monitor Thai troops operating near the border.

On the other hand, Cambodia accused Thailand of igniting the skirmish by breaching a previous agreement and approaching a sacred Khmer-Hindu temple located close to the contested boundary.

Tensions between the two countries have roots stretching back over a century, linked to the border demarcations made following France’s colonial rule in Cambodia.

Throughout the years, occasional outbreaks of violence have claimed lives on both sides — soldiers and civilians alike.

This latest round of hostility worsened in May, following the killing of a Cambodian soldier, triggering the sharpest deterioration in relations between the neighbors in over ten years.

At an emergency shelter set up in Surin province, Thailand, residents forced to flee — many of them elderly and young children — recounted the terror of the artillery shelling they witnessed on Thursday.

Some of the older evacuees, who also endured the civil conflict in Cambodia during the 1980s, said the recent violence was among the most severe they could recall.

Joi Phasuwan, a resident of Phanom Dong Rak, explained that she and her grandchildren “waited a long time” before they were finally relocated. She added that this time, they had to flee even farther than in previous incidents.