Thailand reports first civilian deaths in renewed border conflict with Cambodia

Four civilians have been killed as intense fighting erupts along the Thai-Cambodian border, Thai officials announced Thursday. These are the first civilian casualties since hostilities resumed earlier this month, marking a significant escalation in the border conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

The violence began with a skirmish on Sunday that wounded two Thai soldiers, effectively collapsing a ceasefire that had been brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump in July. That agreement had temporarily halted five days of combat stemming from longstanding territorial disputes between the nations.

According to officials, approximately two dozen people have been killed in the renewed fighting, with hundreds of thousands displaced on both sides of the border. The humanitarian impact has grown substantially as civilians flee their homes to escape the intensifying conflict.

Thailand’s army reported that Cambodian forces initiated an artillery and mortar attack on Wednesday night against Thai positions. Thai forces responded with similar heavy weaponry, claiming to have destroyed enemy vehicles during the exchange. Meanwhile, Cambodia’s defense ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata accused Thailand of violating international law by using “all kinds of heavy weapons” and deploying large numbers of troops in what Cambodia considers its sovereign territory.

The conflict has attracted international attention, including from Pope Leo XIV, who expressed his distress at the Vatican on Wednesday. “I am deeply saddened by the news of the renewed conflict,” the Pope said, noting the civilian casualties and mass displacement. “I express my closeness in prayer to these dear peoples.”

The original ceasefire established in July came through Malaysian mediation and significant pressure from Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless the two countries agreed to stop fighting. The agreement was later formalized at a regional meeting in Malaysia that Trump attended in October.

Despite this diplomatic breakthrough, tensions persisted. Cambodia complained that Thailand failed to return 18 captured soldiers following the ceasefire implementation. Thailand, in turn, protested after its border patrol soldiers were wounded by landmines, which it claims were newly placed by Cambodia. Cambodian officials denied this accusation, insisting the mines were remnants from decades of civil war that ended in 1999.

Trump has expressed confidence in his ability to broker peace once again, stating he expects to speak with leaders from both countries. “I think I can get them to stop fighting. Who else can do that?” Trump told reporters Wednesday, while reiterating his claim of resolving eight global conflicts since returning to office.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters in Bangkok on Thursday that the U.S. had not yet contacted Thailand following Trump’s latest remarks. Anutin, reflecting strong nationalistic sentiment in Thailand, has repeatedly vowed to continue military operations until Thailand’s sovereignty and security are assured. While not entirely ruling out negotiations with Cambodia, he indicated he would not enter talks simply at Trump’s request.

Both sides have deployed significant military assets in the conflict. Thailand has utilized jet fighters for airstrikes on what it describes as military targets, while Cambodia has employed BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40 kilometers. According to data from Thai public broadcaster ThaiPBS, at least six Thai soldiers were killed by rocket shrapnel.

The Thai army reported damage to residential areas near the border from Cambodian rocket fire. In one notable incident, Thai forces destroyed a tall crane atop a hill held by Cambodia near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, claiming it housed electronic and optical devices used for military purposes.

The human toll continues to rise. Thailand’s military announced Thursday that nine soldiers have been killed since Monday, with more than 120 wounded. The four civilian deaths were attributed not to direct combat but to underlying health issues during evacuation efforts. Cambodia reported 11 civilian deaths and 74 wounded on its side of the border.

At the heart of this dispute lies the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The UN cultural agency expressed “strong concern” on Wednesday about the fighting in the temple’s vicinity and offered technical assistance to protect the cultural property once conditions allow.

The Thai-Cambodian border conflict has deep historical roots, stemming from a 1907 map created during French colonial rule over Cambodia, which Thailand maintains is inaccurate. A 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia over the disputed territories continues to be a source of resentment for many Thais, fueling the ongoing tensions.