Thai acting PM says Cambodia clashes ‘could develop into war\u2019<\/p>\n
Thailand\u2019s acting prime minister warned that cross-border clashes with Cambodia<\/a> \u201ccould develop into war\u201d<\/strong> amid the second day of trading strikes.<\/p>\n Phumtham Wechayachai<\/strong>, cited by AFP, told reporters in Bangkok:<\/p>\n If the situation escalates it could develop into war, though for now it remains limited to clashes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He also said the exchanges had affected people\u2019s lives and that the government had \u201cprotected our nation and sovereignty\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.30 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n The PM\u2019s office of Cambodia<\/a> has just issued a statement with further details accusing Thailand of using cluster munitions.<\/strong><\/p>\n In a post on X, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA)<\/strong> said it \u201cexpresses its deepest alarm and strongest condemnation following reports that the Royal Thai Armed Forces deployed cluster munitions today, July 25, 2025, in a border area within the Cambodian territory.\u201d<\/p>\n Preliminary reports from local authorities and demining teams claim that cluster munitions were used in Phnom Khmouch<\/strong> and Techo Thammachart Village<\/strong> \u2013 near the Thai border.<\/p>\n The first attack reportedly took place at 5.25am local time, with a second strike at 6.50am local time, putting civilians and deminers at immediate risk, it said.<\/p>\n CMAA described the incident as a \u201cserious breach of international humanitarian norms\u201d. Cluster munitions are banned under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions due to their indiscriminate impact and lasting danger, particularly to children, the statement added.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Malaysian PM urges Cambodia and Thailand to \u2018immediately implement ceasefire\u2019<\/p>\n Malaysia\u2019s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim<\/strong> has intervened in the escalating tensions along the Cambodia\u2013Thailand border, calling for an \u201cimmediate ceasefire\u201d and offering Malaysia\u2019s assistance in facilitating dialogue between the two neighbours.<\/p>\n In a statement posted on Facebook, Anwar said he had spoken directly with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet<\/strong> and Thailand\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai<\/strong> to voice Malaysia\u2019s \u201cconcerns over rising tensions along the borders of the two countries\u201d.<\/p>\n Speaking in his capacity as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2025, Anwar said Malaysia was \u201cready to help and facilitate this process in the spirit of ASEAN unity and joint responsibility<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI appealed to both leaders to immediately implement ceasefire to avoid worsening conflicts and to open up space for peaceful dialogue and diplomatic solutions,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n The Malaysian premier welcomed what he described as \u201cpositive gestures<\/strong> and willingness shown by Bangkok and Phnom Penh\u201d in response to his appeal, though he did not elaborate on the nature of those gestures.<\/p>\n \u201cI firmly believe that ASEAN\u2019s strength lies in its solidarity,\u201d he added. \u201cPeace must always be our undivided collective choice.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.49 EDT<\/p>\n What exactly is the Cambodia-Thailand dispute about, what\u2019s the political situation in the two countries and how could the escalating clash affect them? Also, how can the crisis be resolved?<\/p>\n See our explainer here for the answers:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here are some of the latest images coming in from Thailand and Cambodia<\/a> over the newswires amid the continuing cross-border clashes.<\/p>\n A Thai mobile artillery unit fires towards Cambodia\u2019s side on Friday. Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha\/ReutersPeople flee their homes near the border in Cambodia\u2019s Oddar Meanchey province. Photograph: Kith Serey\/EPACambodian military personnel with a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher about 40km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple in Oddar Meanchey province. Photograph: Soveit Yarn\/ReutersThais line up to donate blood at a blood centre in Bangkok after the Thai Red Cross made a nationwide call for additional blood donations in response to the clashes. Photograph: Narong Sangnak\/EPAA Cambodian self-propelled multiple rocket launcher is fired in Oddar Meanchey province. Photograph: Kith Serey\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.07 EDT<\/p>\n A Cambodian civilian has been killed and five more wounded in cross-border strikes by Thailand<\/strong>, a Cambodian provincial administration official has told AFP.<\/p>\n Cambodia had earlier not yet commented on casualties on its side.<\/p>\n Meth Meas Pheakdey<\/strong>, the spokesperson for the border province of Oddar Meanchey, said on Friday that \u201cso far one civilian was killed and five people were injured during fighting\u201d in the jurisdiction, adding that the death was a 70-year-old man.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Thailand says 138,000 civilians evacuated from clashes<\/p>\n Thailand is saying 138,000 civilians have now been evacuated from the continuing border fighting with Cambodia<\/a>, AFP reports.<\/p>\n Earlier on Friday it put the number at just over 100,000.<\/p>\n The Thai ministry of health said in a statement that 138,013 civilians and 428 hospital patients had been evacuated from the border region since clashes began on Thursday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.47 EDT<\/p>\n The clashes between Thailand and Cambodia<\/a> have taken place in 12 locations along their disputed border<\/strong>, a Thai military official said on Friday, indicating a broadening of the conflict that erupted a day earlier.<\/p>\n R Adm Surasant Kongsiri<\/strong>, a military spokesperson, told a press conference Cambodia had continued to use heavy weapons, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n The Thai military on Thursday had reported clashes in six locations.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.32 EDT<\/p>\n Thai acting PM says Cambodia clashes ‘could develop into war\u2019<\/p>\n Thailand\u2019s acting prime minister warned that cross-border clashes with Cambodia<\/a> \u201ccould develop into war\u201d<\/strong> amid the second day of trading strikes.<\/p>\n Phumtham Wechayachai<\/strong>, cited by AFP, told reporters in Bangkok:<\/p>\n If the situation escalates it could develop into war, though for now it remains limited to clashes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He also said the exchanges had affected people\u2019s lives and that the government had \u201cprotected our nation and sovereignty\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.30 EDT<\/p>\n Opening summary<\/p>\n\n
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