UN top official condemns loss of lives and injuries to civilians in Thai-Cambodian border clashes

Following the consultation session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), UN Secretary-General António Guterres has addressed the Thai-Cambodian border conflict again through the statement delivered by his Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said in the daily press briefing that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the continuation of armed clashes at the border between Cambodia and Thailand since 24 July. The Secretary-General condemns the tragic and unnecessary loss of lives, injuries to civilians and the damage to homes and infrastructure on both sides.

He also urges both sides to immediately agree to a ceasefire and to address any issues through dialogue, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute. The Deputy Spokesperson said the Secretary-General remains available to assist in any efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Before the UNSC meeting took place on July 26, the UN Secretary General addressed the issue, urging both sides to “exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighbourliness, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute”

U.S. mediation

Late last night, around 12.41 am, the acting Thai Minister Phumtham Wechayachai posted on his FB Page to inform the public about a direct call made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Mr. Phumtham said he had a conversation with President Trump, who requested that Thailand and Cambodia agree to a ceasefire immediately.

Mr. Phumtham said he thanked President Trump for his concern and expressed that Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place.

However, Thailand would like to see sincere intentions from the Cambodian side, so he requested President Trump to convey to the Cambodian side that Thailand wants to convene a bilateral dialogue as soon as possible to bring forth measures and procedures for the ceasefire and the eventual peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Shortly afterwards, around 1.56 am, Cambodia’s Hun Manet also posted on his FB Page, informing the public about a similar call made by the U.S. President. He revealed in his post that he had a phone discussion with President Trump regarding the armed clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

During the conversation, President Trump expressed his desire not to see war or fighting that would lead to many deaths and injuries on both sides, including soldiers and civilians. And for this reason, he has always strived to mediate and successfully end conflicts in many countries around the world.

Regarding the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia, PM Hun Manet said President Trump also wished to see an immediate ceasefire and peace between the two countries. So, he made it clear to the President that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and “unconditional” ceasefire between the armed forces of the two countries.

“In fact, I had previously expressed this position to His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and current rotating Chair of ASEAN, on 24 July,” said PM Hun Manet.

PM Hun Manet said that after the President had spoken with the acting Thai PM, he conveyed to him a positive piece of news that the Thai side also agreed to his proposal for an immediate ceasefire. This is positive news for the soldiers and people of both countries, PM Hun Manet said in his post, adding he hoped that the Thai side would not reverse position as they did with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coordination effort on July 24.

PM Hun Manet said he has assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, to discuss with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to help coordinate with Thai minister of foreign affairs to quickly implement the agreed principles with the goal of putting an end to the deaths and injuries of soldiers and civilians on both sides.

PM Hun Manet thanked the U.S. President for his initiative and mediation to find an immediate ceasefire and peace between Cambodia and Thailand.

“This excellent outcome will truly help protect the lives of many soldiers and civilians that could have been lost or injured in the fighting, and will help hundreds of thousands of refugees return to their villages to continue their daily lives in a safe and peaceful manner,” said PM Hun Manet.

In his original messages on Truth Social, at 10.28 pm, President Trump said he just spoke to the Cambodian Prime Minister relative to stopping the War with Thailand, and he was about to call Thailand’s acting PM to likewise request a ceasefire and end to the war, which he said is currently raging.

President Trump also mentioned the U.S. trades with the two countries, saying the U.S. is currently negotiating with both countries, but does not want to make any deal with either country if they are fighting. And he told them so, he said.

“I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt,” said President Trump in his first post.

He then posted the second message at around 10.49 pm, saying he had just spoken to the Thai leader.

“It was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!” said President Trump on his post before phoning PM Hun Manet again.

As he posted at around 11.23 pm, he revealed that he had a very good call with him, and informed him of his discussions with the Thai leader.

President Trump said both parties are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace, and they are also looking to get back to the “Trading Table” with the U.S., which he thinks is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting stops.

“They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE! It was an Honor to deal with both Countries. They have a long and storied History and Culture. They will hopefully get along for many years to come. When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!” said the U.S. President, Donald Trump.

Continued fighting

However, the fighting did not end immediately as discussed.

As reported by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the very early morning today, at around 4.30 am, heavy artillery shots were fired into civilian homes in Surin province by Cambodian armed forces, followed by a disinformation campaign launched by Cambodia falsely alleging Thailand fired the first shots.

The Thai MFA immediately issued a statement to respond to the Cambodian allegations, saying Thailand condemns in the strongest terms this egregious and repeated violation of international law and calls on Cambodia to immediately cease attacking civilian targets.

“Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached while Cambodia is severely lacking in good faith and repeatedly violating the basic principles of human rights and humanitarian law,” said the MFA.

The ministry said Thailand reserves the inherent right to self-defence enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and has responded at limited military targets to neutralise the threats to the national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We call on the international community to condemn these inhumane, reprehensible acts being committed by Cambodia, which have no place in a rules-based international order,” said the ministry.