Thailand has firmly rejected offers from the U.S., China, and ASEAN chair Malaysia to mediate its escalating conflict with Cambodia, insisting on bilateral talks despite intensifying violence. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura declared third-party intervention unnecessary, stating, "Our doors are still open, but Cambodia must cease attacks first". This stance follows Cambodia’s urgent appeal to the UN Security Council, which held emergency talks after Thai F-16 jets bombed Cambodian targets Thursday marking the first aerial combat between the nations since 2011.
Fighting has now spread to 12 border locations, with Thai authorities reporting 19 dead, including 15 civilians and 138,000 evacuated from conflict zones. Cambodian shelling struck a Sisaket province gas station and Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, killing an 8-year-old boy and forcing medical evacuations. Thailand condemned the hospital attack as a "war crime". Cambodia acknowledged one civilian death and 5,000 evacuations but accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions near schools and the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear temple.
Thailand’s military launched "Operation Yuttha Bodin," a combined ground-air offensive, after alleging Cambodian drones and troops encroached near the Ta Moan Thom temple. While Thailand claims to have destroyed two Cambodian tanks and killed 100 soldiers, Cambodia asserts it captured the temple complex and surrounding areas. The clashes follow a July 23 landmine blast that injured five Thai soldiers. Bangkok blamed Phnom Penh for "recently laying" explosives, which Cambodia denied.
The violence stems from century-old disputes over colonial-era borders, particularly near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, awarded to Cambodia by the ICJ in 1962 but still contested. Tensions reignited in February when Thai troops blocked Cambodian tourists from singing their national anthem at Ta Moan Thom temple. May’s deadly skirmish and recent economic warfare (Thailand cut Cambodia’s internet; Cambodia banned Thai imports) further poisoned relations.
ASEAN chair Malaysia brokered a brief ceasefire agreement Friday, but Thailand later withdrew support. Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai warned the conflict "could develop into war," while Cambodia’s ex-leader Hun Sen vowed to "fight back" via video-linked military commands. The U.S., China, and Australia urged de-escalation, with Vietnam and Indonesia emphasizing peaceful resolution.