Thailand, Cambodia continue to trade fire as UN Security Council calls for restraint

Cambodia wants an "immediate ceasefire" with Thailand, the country's envoy to the United Nations said Friday, after the neighbors traded deadly strikes for a second day, with Bangkok also signaling openness to talks.

A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting involving jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, prompting the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis Friday.

"Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire – unconditionally – and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," said Phnom Penh's UN ambassador Chhea Keo following a closed meeting of the Council attended by Cambodia and Thailand.  

A steady thump of artillery fire could be heard from the Cambodian side of the border Friday, where the province of Oddar Meanchey reported one civilian – a 70-year-old man – had been killed and five others wounded.

More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand's border regions, its health ministry said, reporting 15 fatalities – 14 civilians and one soldier – with a further 46 wounded, including 15 troops.

Fighting resumed in three areas around 4 a.m. on Friday (2100 GMT Thursday), the Thai army said, with Cambodian forces firing heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems, and Thai troops responding "with appropriate supporting fire."

Speaking before the UN meeting, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told AFP that the fighting had begun to ease by Friday afternoon, adding that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly with the assistance of Malaysia.

Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members.

At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbor, had initiated the conflict.

"(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well," said Chhea Keo.

(With input from AFP) 

(Cover: Cambodians drive behind a military vehicle for evacuation in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. /VCG)