eighteen Cambodian soldiers yield in border altercation at Si Sa Ket
In a significant development in the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, eighteen Cambodian soldiers surrendered to Thai forces in the Kanthalak district of Si Sa Ket on Tuesday morning.
The surrendering occurred at a clash point in the Sam Te area, following the Thai forces' successful overrun of a Cambodian position inside Thai territory. The surrendering soldiers did so without resistance.
The Second Army Area deployed a cavalry battalion taskforce to repel the assault, with the Thai cavalry battalion successfully overrunning the Cambodian position. The surrendered soldiers were treated strictly in accordance with international humanitarian principles.
It is important to note that prior to this incident, Cambodian troops had fired artillery and projectile weapons from a position near the border into Thai territory.
The recent border clash between the two countries began on July 24, 2025, near contested areas including the Ta Muen Thom Temple. The fighting resulted in significant civilian casualties and damage, with at least 14 Thai civilians killed and more than 30 wounded. Both Thailand and Cambodia have been accused of initiating the conflict, with Cambodia reportedly expanding its presence in disputed border zones despite prior agreements.
The United Nations Security Council has held urgent meetings, calling on both countries to respect international humanitarian law (IHL) and avoid further harm to civilians. International actors including ASEAN and the UN have pressed for ceasefire talks, leading to an agreement for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” by July 28, 2025, though fighting continues amid tense bilateral relations.
Observers, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the use of explosive weapons in civilian-populated areas and the failure of both sides to uphold their obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflict. Over 130,000 people have been evacuated from affected Thai border areas, and schools and hospitals have been closed for safety.
As the situation continues to unfold, both countries are being urged under IHL principles to take all feasible measures to protect civilians and civilian objects in the conflict zones. The international community will closely monitor the situation and work towards a peaceful resolution to this ongoing conflict.
- The United Nations Security Council, ASEAN, and other international bodies have raised concerns about the ongoing border war-and-conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, urging both countries to adhere to international humanitarian law (IHL) and politics to avoid further general-news related issues, such as civilian casualties and property damage.
- In addition to the border disputes and military clashes, both Thailand and Cambodia have been criticized for their involvement in crime-and-justice matters, with reports of human rights violations and the use of explosive weapons in civilian-populated areas.
- As the international community continues to monitor the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, there have been calls for ceasefire talks and a focus on politics that prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians, ensuring that business and economic activities can continue without interruption due to accidents or war-and-conflicts.
