United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced deep concern over the escalating border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging both countries to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
In a statement shared on X, Guterres said, “I am deeply concerned about the recent armed clashes at the border between Cambodia and Thailand. I urge both sides to immediately agree to a ceasefire and to address any issues through dialogue. I remain available to assist in efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute.”
The century-old territorial dispute between Bangkok and Phnom Penh—stemming from colonial-era border demarcations by France—erupted into violence last Thursday. According to reports, the fighting has already claimed more than a dozen lives, injured many others, and displaced over 150,000 civilians.
Guterres’ appeal comes shortly after US President Donald Trump announced efforts to broker peace through trade negotiations. Trump revealed he had held separate phone calls with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayacha, encouraging both sides to agree to a ceasefire.
Trump stated that both countries had shown willingness to cease hostilities and were eager to return to trade discussions with the US—though he made clear that no deals would proceed until fighting stops.
“They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a ceasefire and, ultimately, peace,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Thailand’s Acting PM Phumtham Wechayacha responded positively to the initiative, thanking Trump for his intervention and confirming that Thailand agrees in principle to a ceasefire. However, he also emphasized the need for “sincere intention” from the Cambodian side and called for a prompt bilateral dialogue to set terms for peace.
“Thailand wants to convene a bilateral dialogue as soon as possible to bring forth measures and procedures for the ceasefire and the eventual peaceful resolution of the conflict,” he noted in a Facebook post.
As tensions simmer, the conflict has taken on broader geopolitical dimensions. According to CNN, it pits Thailand, a longstanding US ally, against Cambodia’s increasingly China-aligned military leadership, raising concerns of a wider regional imbalance.
Both the UN and US now await concrete steps from the two nations toward de-escalation, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the violence and prevent further humanitarian fallout.
