Thai Military and Diplomatic Corps welcome International Committee of the Red Cross team to evaluate effect of Thai-Cambodian frontier skirmishes on civilians
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently undertook a four-day field mission from August 11 to 14, 2025, to assess the humanitarian impact of clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. The mission was a joint effort between the Royal Thai Army and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the aim of gathering first-hand information and privately interviewing those directly affected by the conflict.
The assessment focused on the Phanom Dong Rak, Kap Choeng districts of Surin, Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket, and Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani, areas that have been impacted by Cambodian military attacks. Provincial authorities provided information and assisted in coordinating the surveys.
Throughout the mission, the ICRC maintained its policy of confidentiality and impartiality, reporting its findings directly to the relevant Thai and Cambodian authorities but not making them public. The mission reaffirmed the need for all parties to adhere strictly to international humanitarian principles.
The ICRC conducted its work according to international standards of neutrality, avoiding judgement on the rightness or wrongness of the conflict. The mission was in line with the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which outline the protection of civilians in times of war.
This mission is part of ongoing ICRC efforts related to the border conflict, following a ceasefire in early August 2025. The ICRC also visited Cambodian prisoners of war detained in Thailand as part of its mandate under the Geneva Conventions to protect persons affected by armed conflict.
In summary, the ICRC mission aimed to assess civilian damage from Cambodian attacks along the Thai-Cambodian border. The mission was conducted in four districts in Thailand, included surveys and interviews with affected civilians, and adhered to principles of neutrality, confidentiality, and adherence to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The findings were reported confidentially to Thai and Cambodian authorities and were not made public.
This mission highlights the ICRC's role in humanitarian fact-finding and protection efforts amid ongoing tensions along the border. The mission reflected strong cooperation between the Royal Thai Army, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the ICRC. No evidence of drones, infrared lights, or possible troop reinforcement was reported during the ICRC mission.
- The ICRC's mission underscores its commitment to general news, as it seeks to provide factual information on the impact of war-and-conflicts, such as the clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border.
- While on this mission, the ICRC remains steadfast in its upholding of international health standards, ensuring the safety and well-being of the civilians they interview, as stated in the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
- The ICRC's role in international affairs extends beyond border conflicts, as it also works to promote business and political stability by supporting prisoners of war and advocating for human rights, as illustrated by its visit to Cambodian prisoners of war detained in Thailand.
