Thailand-Cambodia border clash enters third day, dozens dead and thousands displaced
The skirmishes, initially triggered in Thailand's coastal Trat province along the Gulf of Thailand, have since expanded to affect six Thai provinces.
The situation remains tense, with communities near the frontline reporting the ongoing sounds of shelling.
Reporters from AFP stationed in Samraong, a Cambodian town close to the heart of the conflict, noted audible artillery fire on Sunday evening.
Similar reports came from Thai civilians sheltering in bunkers in Si Sa Ket, one of the hardest-hit regions.
'I just want this nightmare to be over,' said local resident Sutian Phiewchan via a phone interview.
Cambodian authorities allege that Thai forces have widened their assaults, targeting civilian structures, including schools, places of worship, and residential zones, a move Cambodia views as a clear escalation.
The Khmer Times, quoting Ministry of Defence spokesperson Maly Socheata, stated that Thai artillery fire reached beyond officially contested areas.
Thailand has refuted these claims, insisting its strikes are strictly focused on military objectives.
The Royal Thai Air Force confirmed the deployment of two F-16s and two Gripen fighter jets on Sunday afternoon.
Their mission: to neutralise Cambodian military positions in Phu Makua, Si Sa Ket — an area the Thai army reportedly reclaimed earlier the same day.
Thai forces also engaged Cambodian positions in Surin province, specifically at Prasat Ta Muean Thom, where enemy troops and artillery had been stationed.
Both locations were reportedly neutralised, with all Thai aircraft returning safely. Clashes were also documented in Sa Kaeo, bringing the total number of affected Thai provinces to six.
While both sides have expressed a willingness to consider a ceasefire, mutual distrust continues to derail negotiations. Each government accuses the other of obstructing peace efforts, according to the Bangkok Post.
The Thai military has urged residents in border areas to remain on high alert amid concerns that Cambodia may launch long-range missiles sourced from China, with capabilities of reaching up to 130 kilometres.
A Thai defence attaché in Beijing, Siwat Rattana-Ananta, met with Chinese officials earlier this week. He was assured that no new arms shipments have been made to Cambodia since the conflict began, and that any weapons currently in use were acquired under previous deals.
Cambodia's military modernisation efforts have been heavily supported by China, through both financial and logistical aid — including upgrades to the Ream Naval Base and joint military training.
Thailand, in contrast, is a long-time strategic ally of the United States and maintains a fleet of American and Swedish-made fighter jets and advanced armoured vehicles.
Cambodia's Defence Ministry announced that 13 of its nationals, including eight civilians and five soldiers, have died since the fighting reignited on Thursday, with 71 others injured.
Thai officials reported a similar toll: 13 civilian deaths, seven military fatalities, and 33 additional injuries.
The death toll has now exceeded that of the last major military standoff between the two countries, which took place between 2008 and 2011.
In terms of displacement, Thai authorities estimate over 138,000 people have fled their homes, while more than 35,000 Cambodians have been rendered homeless.
Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council session in New York, Cambodia's ambassador Chhea Keo urged for a swift and unconditional ceasefire, calling for a peaceful solution to the crisis.
'Cambodia seeks an immediate cessation of hostilities, without preconditions, and calls for diplomatic resolution,' he stated.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa responded by saying talks can only proceed if Cambodia demonstrates 'genuine sincerity' in wanting to end hostilities.
Both governments continue to accuse each other of initiating the recent bout of violence.
Cambodia further claims that Thailand has employed cluster munitions, while Thailand alleges that Cambodian forces have targeted civilian infrastructure, including a hospital, petrol station, and a 7-Eleven convenience store in Si Sa Ket, the latter of which was reportedly struck by a rocket, resulting in eight civilian deaths.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited displaced residents at a shelter in Ubon Ratchathani, expressing support for those affected.
'The military must complete its mission before any political dialogue can begin,' he told the press. —July 27, 2025
Main image: Al Jazeera
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
5 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
Flag blunder gives patriotic Akmal ammunition to position himself as an undisputed race, religion defender
AS SOON as a politician opens his mouth to speak on any issue – big or small – the whole matter becomes politicised. The latest storm to hit the headlines is the brouhaha over the national flag – the Jalur Gemilang – which was flown upside down at a Chinese-medium school. DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke claimed that 'certain quarters' were trying to politicise the incident but by virtue of his party status, he laid himself opened to prompt retaliation. UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh – the ever the party sentinel and warrior – returned fire, pointing out that Loke himself had politicised the issue by touching on the incident. Both politicians are playing politics but the more controversial of the two is Akmal who is ever on the look-out for sensitive issues to exploit and play to the gallery. True to form, Akmal went ballistic seeing the flag incident as a form of disrespect to your country. If you turned the flag upside down, it means you do not love your country. You have no fire of patriotism in your belly. Patriotism is such a loaded word today for it can be used or misused to suit one's political purpose. In the Malaysian context, when you say you are a patriot, it means you are largely fighting for your race and religion. Patriotic opportunist But when you say you are not patriotic, it connotes that you do not want to defend your country with your life. The argument can be further stretched to mean that you have no right to call Malaysia your home and must therefore be stripped of your citizenship or be treated like second-class citizens. It is not too difficult to fathom what Akmal is really aiming at when he beat his breast and screamed: 'I am a patriot!' The 'mistake' – accidental or not – happened in a Chinese-medium school and therein lies the crux of the matter: Akmal seems to be questioning the loyalty of an ethnic race, not just the students. Although the Education Ministry has promised a tough response against SJKC Chung Hua in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan where the incident took place, Akmal might have other ideas in mind. He, too, wants stern action to be taken but what type of punishment can satisfy his political appetite? Let's make an educated guess. At a time when the existence of Chinese-medium schools has always been questioned, Akmal perhaps wants to see all such schools transformed into national schools where, he believes, patriotism is deeply embedded. Political mileage If this becomes a reality, this UMNO tiger would receive a tremendous boost to his political ambition and could be well on his way to a higher rank in the party or even gets a shot at an important cabinet post in the future. Akmal picks and chooses which topic can light up the country and in patriotism, not tariff reduction (a difficult subject), for he finds this is an ideal platform to whip up a perfect storm. Like clockwork, the Barbarism SOP kicks in whenever we approach a 'sensitive' patriotic season. Say the wrong thing, share the wrong post, blink in the wrong direction — and congratulations, you're suddenly 'anti-national.' The witch hunt begins. Doesn't matter who you are, or… — Fahmi Yumi 🕊 (@kaiyumi42) August 6, 2025 Patriotism carries within it the seeds of race and religion and can readily catch the attention of the grassroots Malays when all this potent combination is exploited. Patriotism also means you must defend king and country and a flag represents the fighting spirit of the citizens. So, when Akmal sees a flag flying upside down, it is equivalent to burning it or stomping on it. And when the incident happened in a Chinese-medium school, it is unforgiveable because it seemingly calls into question the loyalty of the Chinese community. Akmal's diehard fans may even postulate that Chinese schools do not teach patriotism or inculcate its spirit in their pupils and therefore they pose a threat to national security in the future. This is a simplistic argument which does not carry much weight because the Chinese – and all the other ethnic communities for that matter – have always called Malaysia their home. They have long ago planted the flag of patriotism in this native soil to which they will live, work and die in this tanaair kita (our motherland) – with or without Akmal. – Aug 7, 2025 Phlip Rodrigues is a retired journalist. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Seoul proposes law to protect steel industry
Tough times: Steel coils at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The country's steel industry is caught between the global push for carbon neutrality, cheap Chinese imports and steep tariffs from the United States, lawmakers say. — AFP SEOUL: South Korea is launching an aggressive policy push to rescue its steel industry from mounting global pressure, unveiling a bipartisan bill aimed at helping domestic producers hit hard by a 50% US tariff and a surge of low-cost Chinese products. Announced on Monday by 106 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, the proposed 'K-Steel Act' outlines a long-term industrial strategy that frames steel as a vital base for national security and economic resilience. 'South Korea's steel industry has grown rapidly since 1970. But today, it faces an unprecedented crisis, caught between the global push for carbon neutrality, a flood of cheap Chinese imports and steep tariffs from key trading partners,' lawmakers said in explaining the purpose of the bill. They warned that failure to act would leave South Korea exposed on multiple fronts. A shrinking domestic steel base could ripple across its broader industrial ecosystem, threatening other sectors from shipbuilding to electric vehicle development. 'This bill is about both survival and transformation,' said Representative Eoh Kiy-ku of the ruling Democratic Party and co-chair of the National Assembly Steel Forum. 'With bipartisan support, we plan to pass this bill quickly and follow up with additional legislation if needed.' Steel remains a pillar of South Korea's manufacturing economy, accounting for 4.8% of national output and supporting more than 430,000 jobs. But that foundation is under threat. Despite a recent South Korea-US tariff deal lowering duties on most goods to 15%, the United States will maintain a 50% tariff on South Korean steel. At the same time, the European Union's (EU) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, set to be launched next year, will impose extra costs on South Korean steelmakers exporting to the EU unless they decarbonise fast. South Korea's push comes as other major economies, including the United States, EU and Japan, have already begun ramping up public support for their own steel sectors. From the US Inflation Reduction Act to EU climate subsidies, governments are blending industrial policy with climate action in a bid to secure supply chains, while hitting net-zero targets. The K-Steel Act lays out a comprehensive policy framework that would give the government a more direct role in shaping the industry's future. Central to the proposal is the creation of a presidential committee tasked with crafting five-year master plans and annual action roadmaps to steer the steel sector through economic and environmental challenges. To support the industry's green transition, the bill includes a wide range of financial incentives. These include subsidies, low interest loans, tax breaks and production cost support for companies investing in hydrogen-based and other low-emission technologies. It also introduces 'green steel zones' – designated areas where permitting and regulatory processes would be streamlined to encourage investment and innovation. The legislation also strengthens South Korea's defensive trade measures. It calls for tighter rules of origin, curbs on low quality steel imports and expanded authority for the government to counter unfair trade practices. In cases where market-driven restructuring proves insufficient, the government would be authorised to step in with financial and regulatory support, including temporary exemptions from antitrust laws for mergers deemed necessary to stabilise the industry. — The Korea Herald/ANN
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Police confirm plan to question Eda Ezrin, five others
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal police today confirmed that it will record a statement from dikir barat singer Eda Ezrin upon her return to Malaysia over the discovery of yaba pills in Thailand last year. Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that all other individuals involved will also have their statements recorded. "Our Thai counterparts have already informed NCID about the release of these people involved," he said when contacted today.
