Thailand-Cambodia clashes enter Day 3: Amid calls for ceasefire, what is the situation now?

Over 30 people have died and more than 130,000 have been displaced since the violence began, including civilians on both sides of the border. The most recent flare-up on Saturday occurred in Thailand’s Trat province, a coastal area more than 100 km from the initial confrontation zones. While both Bangkok and Phnom Penh claim to have acted in self-defence, they are trading accusations of deliberate aggression. The Thai government reported the use of newly planted land mines on its territory, while Cambodia described Thai incursions as “unlawful military attacks.”

The root of the current conflict lies in a centuries-old border demarcation issue that has repeatedly defied peaceful settlement. The Thailand-Cambodia land border stretches over 800 km, much of it poorly demarcated, winding through dense jungle and dotted with ancient ruins. These temples —particularly the 11th-century Preah Vihear and the smaller but still symbolically powerful Ta Moan Thom — lie at the heart of the dispute. Although the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962, the surrounding territory has remained a flashpoint. In 2008, when Cambodia sought UNESCO World Heritage status for the temple, tensions reignited violently. Thailand disputes the ownership of land adjacent to the temples, citing maps drawn by colonial-era French cartographers as inconsistent. Cambodia, on the other hand, views any challenge to the ICJ ruling as an attack on its sovereignty.

A packed truck transports a group of refugees fleeing the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, on Saturday. (Photo: AP)

Over 130,000 people have been displaced across Thailand and Cambodia in just three days, many fleeing in haste from villages near the border. Local officials in Thailand’s Sisaket province say entire towns are nearly deserted, with residents abandoning homes, farms, and businesses in search of safety. Makeshift shelters and emergency accommodations have been established in school buildings and temples, while humanitarian aid groups struggle to reach conflict zones. In Cambodia, civilians in the northwest provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear have reported fleeing under shellfire. In interviews, displaced residents have expressed fear and frustration.

Both Thailand and Cambodia have sought to frame the conflict to its diplomatic advantage. Thailand insists that it is acting defensively, pointing to land mines allegedly planted on Thai soil and to military attacks that it claims were initiated by Cambodia. Thai officials have emphasized their preference for bilateral resolution, accusing Phnom Penh of attempting to “internationalise” the conflict. Cambodia, in contrast, has framed the confrontation as a clear act of aggression by Thailand. It has called on the international community to condemn what it calls “deliberate and unlawful military attacks,” and to support its call for outside arbitration. Cambodian diplomats have also highlighted Thailand’s refusal to recognize the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice as evidence of its unwillingness to resolve the dispute fairly.

The conflict reached the United Nations Security Council on Friday, where both Thailand and Cambodia presented their cases. Thailand’s ambassador, Cherdchai Chaivaivid, accused Cambodia of deliberate aggression and detailed recent injuries caused by new land mines. Cambodia, in turn, painted Thailand as the aggressor and called for global condemnation. The UN has urged both sides to de-escalate and engage in dialogue.

Cambodia has called for an “immediate ceasefire” with Thailand, the country’s envoy to the United Nations has said. “Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire — unconditionally — and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,” Cambodia’s UN ambassador Chhea Keo has said. On the other hand, Thailand’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told news agency AFP that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. “We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far, we have not had any response,” Nikorndej told AFP.

A Cambodian military vehicle carries rocket launcher. (Photo: AP)

On Saturday, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia issued an advisory for Indian nationals travelling to the country, warning them to avoid going to border areas. “In view of the ongoing clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border, Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to the border areas,” the advisory read. On Friday, the Indian embassy in Thailand issued a similar advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid travelling to seven provinces in Thailand. The seven provinces include Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat.

The Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples, built during the Khmer Empire and now perched near the modern-day border, are revered by both Thais and Cambodians. The Preah Vihear Temple, in particular, has been a source of diplomatic tension since the 1962 ICJ ruling granted Cambodia ownership of the structure. However, Thailand disputes ownership of the adjacent land, arguing that historical maps and treaties support its claim. In 2008, when Cambodia succeeded in listing Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thai nationalists saw the move as a provocation, triggering renewed skirmishes.

One of the most alarming developments in the recent escalation has been the reported use of new land mines. Thailand has accused Cambodia of planting mines in its territory, resulting in injuries to Thai soldiers in mid-July and again this past week. Cambodia denies the accusation and has countered that Thailand has mobilised heavy weaponry and troops along the border in violation of international norms. Satellite imagery and witness reports suggest that both sides are engaged in rapid militarisation. Armoured vehicles, artillery, and long-range rocket systems have reportedly been moved closer to the borders.

Thai soldiers inspect a border area on Sunday. (Photo: AP)

The conflict marks a rare instance of armed confrontation between ASEAN member countries. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Friday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to a ceasefire and to withdraw their troops from the border, but requested more time before implementing the action.