Ambassadors call for lasting peace after Cambodia-Thailand border clashes

Ambassadors call for lasting peace after Cambodia-Thailand border clashes

A CMAC officer briefs the foreign minister and diplomatic delegates on the shells and bombs used by Thai troops in their attacks on Cambodia. Hong Raksmey

Khmer Times | Wrapped in soft blankets and resting peacefully under a mosquito net, baby Samnang — whose name means “Lucky” — was born just moments after his parents arrived safely at a refugee camp in Siem Reap on July 24.

His mother, Chenda, from Anglong Veng district, near Choam border in Oddar Meanchey, recounted how their journey began under the shadow of falling bombs and the terrifying sounds of artillery as fighting erupted along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

“We were running for our lives. I didn’t even know if I would make it in time,” she said, her voice trembling.

“But the moment we reached the camp, Samnang came into this world. He is a child of survival — a child of peace,” she adds.

Chenda and her family, among the 1,016 families who evacuated from the conflict zone, they hope to return home safely very soon.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring security before allowing displaced residents to return home, after Thai airstrikes hit areas in Oddar Meanchey between July 24 and 28.

Leading a delegation of ambassadors and representatives from 22 countries and four international NGOs, Sokhonn visited heavily affected areas and two refugee sites in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces.

“We’re working hard to guarantee security for our people before they return home,” he said, during the August 1-2 visits.

The diplomatic delegates presence underscored strong international support for the recently brokered ceasefire and a collective call for lasting peace.

“The military engagement over the last few days has brought sorrow, casualties, and an enormous humanitarian impact,” said Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador to Cambodia.

Driesmans said they had visited several refugee camps and observed that there were clearly urgent needs to be addressed.

He noted that, from the outset, the EU had called for a cessation of hostilities and a diplomatic solution.

“We are very pleased to see the ceasefire agreement concluded in Kuala Lumpur and now urge both sides to implement it in good faith,” Driesmans told reporters, in Siem Reap’s Soutr Nikom district.

The ceasefire, reached with the facilitation of ASEAN chair Malaysia, has held since July 28 following deadly clashes along the border from July 24 to 28.

The Thai attacks reportedly forced 172,094 Cambodians from their homes. These individuals are sheltering in temporary camps, schools, and pagodas, with many in Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

David Verbiwski, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian Embassy in Phnom Penh, called the scenes behind the ceasefire sobering.

“What we see behind us are families forced to flee, children torn from their homes and education,” Verbiwski told reporters.

He said their greatest desire was to see the displaced people return home, but emphasised that this would require both Cambodia and Thailand to continue their dialogue, maintain the ceasefire, and work toward a permanent resolution to prevent future conflict.

Japanese ambassador to Cambodia Ueno Atsushi also stressed the importance of the diplomatic track.

Ueno expressed his condolences and sympathy to those who lost their lives or were affected by the recent fighting, acknowledging the severity of the situation.

He thanked the Cambodian foreign ministry for organising the visit, which allowed ambassadors to witness the impact firsthand.

“Witnessing the damage and the plight of displaced civilians, I felt a deep sense of sorrow,” he said.

Ueno noted that, as far as he had observed, the ceasefire was being maintained in Cambodia and expressed hope that this situation would continue for as long as possible.

He said Japan hoped both Cambodia and Thailand would sit together at the negotiating table.

“I hope you know that this dialogue will lead to, long standing peace on this matter and the Japanese government would like to provide any support we can for maintaining ceasefire and also to rehabilitate damages which caused by this flighting both in Cambodia and in Thailand,” he told reporters.

He highlighted the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on August 4 as a crucial next step and expressed hope that the talks would be constructive and lead to sustained peace between the two countries.

China, a key regional actor, also emphasised its role in promoting peace.

Chinese ambassador Wang Wenbin revealed that China had organised an informal trilateral meeting with Thailand and Cambodia and had been in constant contact with ASEAN leaders.

During the visit, Wenbin said the ceasefire agreement reached in Kuala Lumpur was being effectively implemented and that both sides were on track to return to peace and cooperation.

He stressed that China had consistently supported peaceful negotiations since the border dispute began.

“Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged views with the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers, as well as the ASEAN secretary-general, and the Chinese side also organised an informal trilateral meeting between China, Thailand and Cambodia to urge Thailand and Cambodia to respect the ceasefire agreement together,” he said.

Wang added that China has also sent special envoys to Thailand and Cambodia to coordinate with each other. China has made every effort to ease the tense situation.

“We support ASEAN in playing an important role and cooperate with the ASEAN rotating chairman, Malaysia, and maintain an exchange of views to actively contribute to leading Thailand and Cambodia in the ceasefire together at the special meeting in Kuala Lumpur,” he told reporters.

Wang stated that the Chinese side will continue to play a constructive role in urging relevant parties to respect and implement the consensus effectively and fully, especially to promote the situation along the Cambodian-Thailand border to return to peace and stability.

“The Khmer nation is a great nation under the His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and under the leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Samdech Thipdei Hun Manet. Cambodia has achieved historical development and has shown a bright future in seeking the rebirth of the nation,” he said.

He affirmed that there are no obstacles to Cambodia’s development.

“Our side will continue to support Cambodia in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In particular, the Chinese side will continue to support Cambodia in actively participating in the international arena,” he added.

The ambassador, who recently announced a $100,000 fund to help refugees, said that China has adhered to its stance of supporting Cambodia in choosing a development path that is in line with its own country’s situation.

Wang said the Chinese side will work with its Cambodian friends to implement the achievements made during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to deepen cooperation in all fields and help Cambodia achieve the vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and becoming a high-income country by 2050.

“China will help Cambodia achieve the goal of restoring prosperity between the Chinese and Cambodian peoples,” he continued.

Clashes erupt as Thai forces launch attacks inside Cambodia

A deadly escalation of hostilities erupted between Thailand and Cambodia on July 24 when Thai armed forces launched a surprise multi-pronged military assault on Cambodian territory, sparking days of intense fighting across the border provinces.

At around 3am on July 24, Thai F-16 fighter jets, tanks, and heavy artillery struck multiple locations in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, targeting historic and cultural sites including the Preah Vihear Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Tamoan Thom Temple.

The Cambodian government described the attacks as a “premeditated act of aggression” under a military plan.

Despite an initial agreement for a ceasefire brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and later reaffirmed by US President Donald Trump, Thai forces resumed hostilities just hours after promising to halt fire.

Cluster munitions, drone strikes, and artillery barrages continued into July 27, hitting civilian areas and critical heritage sites.

Cambodia reported at least 13 fatalities — five military and eight civilians — with over 70 injured, as of early July 26.

Notably, an abbot was killed when a bomb struck Tamoan Sen Chey pagoda, and several structures at the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear Temple sustained severe damage.

The Cambodian government has condemned the attacks as a violation of international law, demanding urgent UN Security Council intervention.

“This was not an accident. This was war, deliberately planned,” said Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Chhea Keo.

Cambodia has referred the dispute to the International Court of Justice and closed its airspace over affected areas, while its armed forces continue to hold defensive positions.