Thailand’s acting prime minister has stated that cross-border disputes with Cambodia “may escalate into war” as clashes continue for a second day. Phumtham Wechayachai, cited by AFP, told reporters in Bangkok, “If the situation escalates, it could lead to war, but for now, it is limited to skirmishes.”
Thailand’s military accuses Cambodia of using long-range weapons to target civilian areas, describing the acts as “barbaric” and claiming the loss of numerous innocent lives. Phnom Penh counters that Thailand has employed cluster munitions, condemning it for violating humanitarian norms.
Thai authorities report 15 deaths, including 14 civilians. One civilian death is acknowledged by Cambodia, though no official casualty figures have been released. The conflict erupted into intense fighting involving jets, artillery, tanks, and ground troops after weeks of tensions. Over 100,000 Thais have fled the violence.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the clashes, requested by Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet. Britain’s foreign ministry recommends against all but essential travel to affected regions in Cambodia and Thailand.
Fighting is concentrated in six locations, with Thailand deploying six air force jets to strike two Cambodian military targets. Cambodia has not commented on its military losses. Both nations blame each other for initiating the fighting, with Thailand expelling Cambodia’s ambassador and recalling its envoy after a Thai military patrol was injured by a landmine. Cambodia responded by downgrading diplomatic relations and expelling Thai diplomats from Phnom Penh.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jul/25/thailand-cambodia-border-clashes-live-updates-thai-dispute-conflict-latest-news
