"Call for Bilateral Dialogue to Peacefully Resolve Ongoing Border Conflict with Cambodia" – Thai Government

"Call for Bilateral Dialogue to Peacefully Resolve Ongoing Border Conflict with Cambodia" – Thai Government
[Thailand, July 25, 2025] — Thailand has emphasized the importance of resolving its ongoing border conflict with Cambodia through bilateral dialogue and has indicated its willingness to seek mediation from the Southeast Asian regional bloc ASEAN if necessary.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Al Jazeera on Friday,

“Although the conflict is ongoing, the situation has somewhat stabilized.”
He added, “We have always said that we want to resolve this issue peacefully. Regrettably, there has yet to be any positive response from Cambodia.”

ASEAN mediation on the table — but not yet

Thailand believes it can resolve the issue bilaterally. However, the spokesperson stated that the country is not entirely dismissing potential mediation from regional partners.

“Our door is always open for talks,” Nikorndej said. “But at this moment, it’s a bit too early to speak about mediation… If help is needed, ASEAN countries would be the most appropriate actors.”

Malaysia, currently chairing ASEAN, is in contact with both sides. Nikorndej confirmed that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has discussed regional cooperation with Thailand’s interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

Casualties and displacement

So far, 13 Thai civilians and 1 soldier have been killed, and 45 others — including women and children — have been injured.

“We are defending our territory and our people,” Nikorndej said.

Cambodia has reported one fatality on its side.

He stated that the Thai military came under direct aggression from Cambodia, which escalated the fighting. The Thai government has opened shelters, deployed medical teams, and is providing humanitarian assistance to displaced people.

Cambodia has claimed that the clash began when Thailand fired the first shots on Thursday.

Widespread displacement, echoes of the past

Thailand has already evacuated over 100,000 people from its eastern border with Cambodia. According to Cambodian government sources, about 20,000 people have fled their homes from the northern border regions.

Old disputes and current tensions at the International Court

The border dispute dates back decades. In 1963, Cambodia first brought the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

They returned to the court in 2011 over the Preah Vihear Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 2013, the ICJ awarded direct control of the temple area to Cambodia.

However, the court did not rule on the disputed areas surrounding the "Emerald Triangle" — the tri-border area of Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand — where military clashes frequently occur.

Thailand has repeatedly stated that it does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction on this matter.

Although tensions had been subdued in recent years, they have escalated dramatically in 2025 — leading to deadly conflict at the border.