Asian leaders call for calm over deadly Cambodia-Thailand border clashes
SOUTH-EAST ASIA: Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on July 24 as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, killing at least 11 civilians, in a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbours.
The developments have caused concern among countries in Asia, with leaders urging calm and swift de-escalation.
Here are the reactions.
Malaysia
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has sent messages to the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, hoping to speak with them personally on July 24, reported the New Straits Times. Malaysia currently holds the chairmanship of Asean.
'The situation is worrying. They are key members of Asean and close neighbours to Malaysia… At the very least, we hope they will de-escalate tensions and return to the negotiating table,' he said.
'Efforts have been made, but I still firmly believe that peace is the only option.'
Philippines
The Department of Foreign Affairs remained hopeful that Cambodia and Thailand could resolve the issue in accordance with international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
'We urge both parties to extend due consideration and care to innocent civilians who may be affected by the ongoing conflict,' it said.
'The Philippines does not take any position on this dispute but underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and ensuring the de-escalation of the situation.'
Manila said it is continually monitoring the situation and remains ready to extend all possible assistance to Filipinos living in these two countries if necessary.
To date, no Filipino nationals have been reported to be affected by the conflict, it added.
China
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China is deeply concerned over the current developments and hopes both sides can properly resolve issues through dialogue and consultations.
'Good neighbourliness and properly handling differences are in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides,' he said.
Guo said China would adopt a 'fair and impartial position' in the clashes.
Beijing 'has and will continue to in its own way do its best to promote peace and dialogue, and play a constructive role in promoting the easing and cooling down of the situation', he added.
Japan
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Japan has been working to encourage both Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate the situation.
'A sound relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is extremely important for peace and stability in the region,' he said.
'Japan urges both Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and strongly hopes that the tension between the two countries will be eased peacefully through dialogue.'
Unicef
The United Nations Children's Fund's regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, Ms June Kunugi, called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and protect children.
'Children must be protected at all times and their safety and well-being must be prioritised while schools must remain safe spaces for learning,' she said. - Agencies/The Straits Times-Asia News Network
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Defusing the PMN-2 dispute between Cambodia and Thailand: Why the GBC Must Move Fast — Phar Kim Beng
AUG 11 — Any ceasefire will always have spoilers. Not all guns can stay silent immediately. The Cambodian–Thai border is once again under the shadow of an old but lethal danger: landmines. Stealth-like but supremely dangerous in breaking the ceasefire into ramparts at different flash points of Cambodia and Thai borders. The latest dispute — allegations that Cambodia has deployed PMN-2 anti-personnel mines, which the Chief of Royal Thai Army strongly opposes — has the potential to unravel the fragile peace secured in the July 28, 2025 ceasefire agreement; which was further reinforced in Kuala Lumpur on August 4-8 2025. The General Border Committee (GBC), now tasked with operationalising that truce, faces its first real test of whether Asean's centrality in conflict management can deliver more than symbolic breakthroughs. The PMN-2 is not just another mine; it is one of the most infamous in the world. Originating from Soviet military production in the mid-20th century, the PMN-2 was designed for simplicity of deployment and devastating impact. It contains a large explosive charge for its size, triggered by minimal pressure, ensuring injury — often amputation — rather than instant death. While the Cold War justified its use in Soviet doctrine, in today's Southeast Asia it has no place in any arsenal. The Ottawa Treaty of 1997, which Cambodia ratified, outlaws such weapons, and their manufacture or import should be prohibited under regional law. Allowing their presence legitimises an indiscriminate device that continues to maim civilians decades after conflicts end. An anti-government protester holds Thai national flag during a rally to condemn war with Cambodia and demand the resignation of Thailand? suspended prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, at Victory Monument in Bangkok on August 2, 2025. — AFP pic The GBC must therefore move quickly and decisively. This is not a dispute that can be left to languish in committees or shuttle diplomacy. Every day that suspected minefields remain uncleared is a day when a farmer's step or a child's misstep could shatter a family. Immediate measures are necessary — not just to remove the current threat, but to ensure such incidents never recur. The first step is to launch a joint technical verification mission. Both Phnom Penh and Bangkok should agree to inspections by neutral, internationally accredited demining experts, perhaps from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) or the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. Without a shared baseline of facts, negotiations collapse into accusation and denial. Second, the GBC should require full mapping of all suspected minefields, drawing on military records from Cambodia and intelligence from Thailand. 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Embedding these measures in a legally binding bilateral protocol, lodged with Asean and recognised by relevant international bodies, will ensure they outlast political transitions in either country. This formalisation is vital in a region where leadership changes can otherwise disrupt fragile agreements. Asean's credibility is now tied to how quickly and effectively the GBC acts. The July ceasefire was hailed as a triumph of quiet, firm facilitation under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's chairmanship. But a truce is only the beginning. If the landmine issue festers, the perception of Asean as an effective mediator will weaken, and external powers could step in under the pretext of humanitarian intervention, complicating the strategic environment. More importantly, the PMN-2 dispute is a chance for Asean to set a precedent. If Cambodia and Thailand can move from accusation to cooperation — fact-finding, mapping, clearing, pledging, penalising, educating, innovating, assisting, developing, and formalising — they can show that even the most entrenched security disputes can be resolved through humanitarian-driven diplomacy. The alternative is grim. Delay would embolden sceptics who say Asean cannot handle hard security issues. It would keep rural communities trapped in fear, their fields dotted with invisible killers. And it would normalise the quiet return of banned weapons into Southeast Asia's arsenals — a regression the region cannot afford. The PMN-2, a relic of Cold War arsenals, should have no place in Asean's future. Its clearance from the Cambodian–Thai border is not just a matter of safety; it is a statement of principle that the region will not tolerate indiscriminate weapons, whether manufactured locally or imported covertly. The GBC has the tools, the authority, and now the moral obligation to make that statement real — before another step on the wrong patch of earth turns peace into tragedy. * Phar Kim Beng is a professor of Asean Studies and Director of the Institute of Internationalization and Asean Studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
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