The escalating military conflict along the Thailand-Cambodia border has entered a critical phase, with diplomatic efforts intensifying to halt hostilities that have resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement.
Artillery exchanges continued through Monday night into Tuesday morning, with Cambodian authorities reporting sustained attacks against Military Regions 4 and 5, particularly impacting Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Pursat, and Banteay Meanchey provinces. The human cost has been substantial, with Cambodian officials confirming 15 civilian fatalities and 76 injuries since the conflict reignited on December 7. The fighting has displaced approximately 126,508 families, equivalent to over 422,000 individuals.
Education has been severely disrupted, with 1,039 schools across six provinces forced to close, affecting nearly 10,000 teachers and over 242,000 students. In a particularly alarming incident, Thai artillery shells reportedly struck a primary school in Banteay Meanchey Province’s O’Beichoan commune, destroying buildings and food stalls within the school compound.
Diplomatic channels have activated at multiple levels. Cambodian UN representative Keo Chhea addressed the UN Peacebuilding Commission in New York, emphasizing that peaceful resolution requires mutual trust and respect, while noting that dialogue becomes impossible when one nation “rejects dialogue, turns to the use of military force and ignores peace mechanisms.”
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, through deputy spokeswoman Maratee Nalita Andamo, maintained that ceasefire implementation “must be demonstrated through concrete actions” while reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to international law. “Thailand has no intention of escalating the situation. Our focus is on protecting national sovereignty, reducing potential threats and ensuring freedom of navigation,” she stated.
China has emerged as a key diplomatic voice, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun expressing profound sadness over casualties and offering heartfelt sympathies. Beijing emphasized that the immediate priorities remain ensuring ceasefire, ending hostilities, and protecting civilians. China supports direct bilateral dialogue and ASEAN-led mediation efforts within the regional framework.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s National Security Council approved stricter maritime measures to prevent fuel and strategic supplies from reaching Cambodia, following discoveries of abnormally high fuel exports through the Chong Mek border checkpoint. Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit characterized these measures as nonviolent, expressing confidence in a near-term resolution.