Casualties Rise in Thailand-Cambodia Conflict Despite Ceasefire Calls

Despite calls for a ceasefire, the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia shows no signs of abating, with the death toll and injuries continuing to rise. Cambodia has explicitly called for a ceasefire, while Thai officials have indicated they are open to mediation by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). However, the violence persists, escalating tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

According to the news agency AFP, since the conflict erupted on Thursday morning, July 24, 2025, at least 33 people have been killed and over 130 injured in Thailand and Cambodia. The casualties include both military personnel and civilians.

Cambodia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that 13 of its citizens have been killed, comprising eight civilians and five soldiers. Additionally, at least 71 Cambodians have been injured due to Thai gunfire and artillery. In Thailand, the Defense Ministry reported 20 deaths, including 14 civilians and six soldiers. International media reports indicate that the two countries have engaged in intense combat involving fighter jets, artillery, warships, and tanks, fueled by a century-old border dispute. The conflict centers around the Emerald Triangle, a region where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge, home to ancient temples and religious sites claimed by both nations. The origins of this dispute trace back to the early 20th century when Cambodia was under French colonial rule. In 1907, France published a map including the Emerald Triangle as part of Cambodian territory, a claim Thailand contested. Cambodia gained independence from France on November 9, 1953, but the map remained unchanged, perpetuating tensions with Thailand. After decades of intermittent border clashes, a ceasefire was reached 15 years ago. However, tensions flared again in May 2025 when a Cambodian soldier was killed near the Thai border. The situation escalated further last week when a Thai soldier was severely injured in a landmine explosion near the Cambodian border on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, Thailand conducted airstrikes on two Cambodian military positions. In retaliation, Cambodian forces launched rocket attacks on Thailand’s Ban Nam Yen province, sparking ongoing tit-for-tat assaults.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of ASEAN, has urged both nations to resolve their disputes through dialogue and diplomacy