The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called an urgent closed-door meeting to address rising tensions between Cambodia and Thailand following two days of intense cross-border clashes that have left multiple soldiers injured and over 130,000 civilians displaced in Thailand.
The 15-member UN body confirmed it would meet under the agenda item “Threats to International Peace and Security”, following a formal request from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Both countries are expected to participate under Rule 37 of the UNSC’s provisional rules.
The conflict, which began on July 24, has seen both nations accusing each other of violating past agreements and triggering unprovoked hostilities.
- Thailand claims that Cambodian forces initiated the conflict by deploying drones near its border and opening fire on a Thai base in Surin Province.
- In contrast, Cambodia alleges that Thai troops crossed into its territory, igniting clashes and attacking locations such as the Tamone Thom, Ta Krabey, and Mom Bei temples in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces.
Cambodia also denied Thai allegations of newly laid landmines, accusing Thai forces of deviating from coordinated patrol routes and traversing known minefields.
Thailand, however, has submitted evidence to the UNSC alleging Cambodia’s responsibility for the flare-up and accused it of conducting indiscriminate attacks across four provinces—Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Thai officials also dismissed Cambodian reports that F-16 fighter jets were used against civilians as “distorted news.”
Following mediation by ASEAN Chair and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Cambodia announced that Thailand had agreed to a ceasefire starting midnight, July 24. However, Cambodian PM Hun Manet later claimed Thailand backtracked within an hour of agreeing to the ceasefire.
Thailand has indicated it is open to ASEAN-led mediation but insists Cambodia must first commit to de-escalation.
The latest clashes have sparked global concern:
- The United States, China, and Japan have urged both sides to exercise restraint.
- France has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged resolution through international law.
The conflict is rooted in longstanding disputes over poorly demarcated border zones spanning over 800 kilometres, particularly over ownership of ancient Hindu temples such as Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom, which straddle the Dangrek mountain range.
This isn’t the first time the issue has reached the UN. In 2011, deadly clashes near Preah Vihear prompted a UNSC meeting and global appeals for peace. A recent incident in May 2025, in which a Cambodian soldier was killed, had already inflamed tensions before this week’s violent escalation.
Thailand’s health ministry reported that over 130,000 people have been evacuated from conflict-prone areas. Several border crossings have been closed, and both countries have recalled their ambassadors as military reinforcements continue to pour into border zones.
As the UNSC meets to address the crisis, regional and global observers await whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a deeper conflict between the two ASEAN neighbours.
