NEW YORK — Cambodia and Thailand exchanged accusations at the United Nations Friday while both expressing desire to end a deadly two-day border conflict that has claimed multiple lives and created a humanitarian crisis along their disputed frontier.
Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Chhea Keo called for an “immediate ceasefire” following closed Security Council consultations, saying his country sought an “unconditional” end to hostilities and a “peaceful solution of the dispute.” Meanwhile, Thailand‘s representative urged Cambodia to “immediately cease all hostilities” and resume good-faith dialogue.
The escalating conflict centers around the Ta Muen Thom Temple area, where fighting erupted July 24 and has involved artillery, ground troops, and military aircraft in one of the most serious border incidents between the Southeast Asian neighbors in recent years.
Competing Narratives of Conflict Origins
The two nations presented fundamentally different accounts of how the violence began, each blaming the other for initiating the deadly exchanges.
Thailand’s UN Ambassador Cherdchai Chaivaivid provided detailed testimony alleging that Cambodian forces launched unprovoked attacks starting at 8:20 a.m. on July 24, targeting a Thai military outpost with heavy artillery before expanding strikes across four Thai provinces. He displayed photographs of civilian casualties to emphasize the human cost.
“Cambodian troops launched indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory,” Chaivaivid told the Council, reporting 14 deaths and 46 injuries as of Friday morning, including four children killed and civilian infrastructure damaged.
Cambodia’s envoy strongly disputed this version, questioning how his country – described as smaller and less militarily developed than Thailand – could have initiated conflict with its more powerful neighbor. Ambassador Chhea Keo characterized Thailand’s claims as unfounded, though he did not provide detailed counter-allegations about Thai actions.
Thailand dismissed Cambodia’s position as “baseless” and “disinformation,” while Cambodia appeared to focus its diplomatic efforts on calling for immediate de-escalation rather than detailed rebuttals.
Humanitarian Impact and Military Response
Both sides acknowledged the severe humanitarian consequences of the fighting. Thailand reported that over 130,000 residents have been evacuated from border areas, with civilian infrastructure including hospitals, schools, and homes sustaining damage.
Thai officials described tragic civilian casualties, including a family where a mother and three children were killed while shopping for groceries. Thailand accused Cambodia of violating Geneva Conventions through attacks on protected civilian facilities.
Cambodia has not publicly released casualty figures from its side, though the cross-border nature of the conflict suggests both nations have likely suffered military and potentially civilian losses.
Thailand defended its military response as following international principles of “distinction, proportionality, and military necessity,” stating that any cluster munitions targeted only military objectives. Cambodia has not detailed its military tactics or provided its account of the tactical situation.
Regional and International Responses
The conflict has prompted urgent international attention, with the UN Security Council holding emergency consultations. Both nations are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), currently chaired by Malaysia, which emphasizes diplomatic solutions to regional disputes.
Thailand called on Cambodia to stop “disseminating false or misleading information” about cultural heritage sites in the disputed area, while Cambodia’s focus on seeking immediate ceasefire suggests prioritizing de-escalation over historical grievances.
The dispute highlights long-standing tensions over border demarcation and cultural sites that have periodically flared between the neighbors, though previous incidents have typically been resolved through diplomatic channels.
Path Forward Uncertain
While both countries expressed willingness to end the violence, their conflicting accounts of responsibility may complicate peace efforts. Cambodia’s call for unconditional ceasefire contrasts with Thailand’s demand that Cambodia cease what it characterizes as aggressive actions.
The international community, including ASEAN partners, will likely play a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the two nations as they seek to prevent further escalation of Southeast Asia’s first major interstate conflict in years.
Both countries’ emphasis on eventual dialogue, despite their current disagreements, offers hope for diplomatic resolution of a crisis that has already exacted a significant human toll on both sides of the contested border.
