17: 28: The Ministry of National Defense has strongly condemned accusations by Thailand’s 2nd Army Region that Cambodia fired artillery shells into Laos territory, noting that their authorities have not made any claims or launched an investigation. The ministry pointed out that an earlier statement from the Thai Army spokesperson’s page acknowledged the situation was “not yet clear”, suggesting inconsistencies between the statements by Thailand’s 2nd Army Region and its official army spokesperson.
17:23: On July 26, 29 Cambodian students in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani Province returned home via Laos, according to Education, Youth and Sport Minister Hang Chuon Naron.
16:32: Thai military deployed tanks at Rong Kluea Market in Thailand near the border of Poipet city in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, according to its deputy governor Ly Sovannarith.
16:31: As of 3:30 p.m., Oddar Meanchey deputy governor Met Measpheakdey reported that the situation has grown increasingly tense, with more than 8,000 families—nearly 30,000 civilians—displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
16:30: Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s National Defense Ministry, debunked claims by Thailand’s 2nd Army Region that Cambodia fired PHL-03 long-range missiles with a range of 130 km targeting strategic areas, calling it “fake news”. News reports stated that Thailand warned their citizens to be vigilant of the alleged strike.
13:02: As of 12 p.m. on July 26, a total of 536 schools across five provinces—Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, and Koh Kong—have closed due to the border conflict, affecting around 130,000 students and teachers, according to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
11:45 a.m.: More than 8,000 Cambodian migrant workers have come back through the Duong International Border Crossing in Battambang following the Cambodia-Thailand border clashes. From 3:00 a.m on July 26 to 10:00 a.m., many were seen waiting at the Thai side to continue their journey home. According to NGO CENTRAL, the trip home has been difficult, marked by fear, exhaustion, and a lack of funds, especially for women and children.
11:40 a.m.: As of now, the fighting in Pursat, where Thai forces deployed gunfire at 5:02a.m, is ongoing, as well as continued threats by Thailand of another military strike in Banteay Meanchey, according to Maly Socheata, spokesperson of the National Defense Ministry.
11:30 a.m.: As of 10 a.m. on July 26, in Koh Kong province, Cambodian forces remained in position with no gunfire reported. However, tensions persisted, an act described by the National Defense Ministry as “aggressive and coercive” by Thailand, including preparations to deploy four additional vessels between Koh Kut and Koh Chhang, bringing the total to eight vessels.
At 5.02 a.m on July 26, a few hours after the UN Security Council closed-door meeting concluded, Thailand expanded its shooting, firing five heavy artillery shells at multiple locations in Veal Veng district, Pursat province, according Maly Socheata, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense.
The latest Thai invasion resulted in the deaths of five Cambodian soldiers and 21 injured, while in Oddar Meanchey, eight civilians were killed and 50 wounded.
The military action has caused hardship, with scores being evacuated to safety from several provinces in Cambodia. In Oddar Meanchey, 6,577 families have moved out, Preah Vihear (3,112 families), Banteay Meanchey (524 families) and Pursat (94 families). In total, 35,829 people have been displaced from their homes.
“This violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity constitutes a grave breach of international law, including the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and has resulted in harm to innocent civilian lives, while disrupting peace and stability in the region,” Maly said.
“Cambodia calls on the international community to strongly condemn Thailand’s illegal act of aggression.”
Speaking in the press conference, Chum Sounry, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations was invited to address the U.N. Security Council during the emergency meeting.
Sounry said the envoy detailed what he described as a large-scale Thai military assault on Cambodian territory since July 24, targeting multiple sites along the border—Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Preah Vihear Temple—using aircraft, cluster munitions, and heavy weapons, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to historic landmarks.
He reiterated Cambodia’s call for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” and a peaceful resolution.
In a statement by Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the U.N., Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to peacefully resolving disputes and rejected the use of force.
It asked the international community to urge Cambodia to immediately cease hostilities and return to good-faith dialogue, emphasizing its readiness to engage through established bilateral channels.
Thailand’s foreign ministry has rejected international mediation efforts, instead opting for a bilateral solution to the ongoing conflict.
Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said the U.N. Security Council’s closed-door meeting resulted in three key calls: for maximum restraint, an end to armed violence, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
According to Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia, the current ASEAN Chair, urged Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate tensions. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim proposed a ceasefire, which Cambodia accepted. Thailand, favoring direct bilateral talks without third-party mediation, initially agreed in principle but later changed its stance.
Earlier this morning, the U.N. Security Council in New York concluded the emergency meeting requested by Hun Manet over “Thailand’s aggression”, however, no statement was issued.
According to news reports, the council called for deescalation and a peaceful resolution. Thailand’s U.N. ambassador also joined the meeting.
A diplomat familiar with the discussion of the closed-door meeting, said all 15 council members called for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the intensifying border clashes. Thailand’s U.N. ambassador also attended the session but left without speaking to the press.
Another diplomat, who spoke to the U.S.-based The Hill on condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the talks, said the council also urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to play a more active role in resolving the dispute.
Meanwhile, Cambodia’s U.N. Ambassador Chhea Keo rejected accusations that Cambodian forces had initiated the hostilities, questioning how a small country with no air force could attack a much larger country with an army three times its size. He said the council had encouraged both sides to exercise “maximum restraint” and resolve the conflict through diplomatic channels.
When asked what steps would follow the meeting, Chhea Keo responded, “Let’s see how the call can be heard by all the members there.”
Before the meeting, the council reported that Cambodia’s letter was the first received by the U.N., formally requesting the emergency meeting. Thailand, which is said to have long preferred bilateral negotiations over international involvement, did not submit a similar request.
