UPDATES:
20:00: Thai border and defense command announced the implementation of martial law in certain areas particularly impacted by the ongoing clashes.
17:51: China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, in a meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim, says the “root-cause” of the Thai-Cambodian conflict is Western colonialism. He also reiterated that Beijing stands ready to play a constructive role in de-escalation. China is not only the largest trading partner of both Thailand and Cambodia, but also a key source of infrastructure investment.
16:15: Cambodian and Thai civil society organizations have signed a joint statement expressing their solidarity with all those displaced, injured or killed by the ongoing clashes between Cambodia and Thailand: “building a just and fair society requires a collective commitment to peace, freedom and solidarity that transcends borders – not the incitement of conflict based on nationalist ideologies.”
15:55: Thai financial institutions operating in Cambodia are expected to withdraw all their staff from Cambodia by Friday’s end, as per local media.
15:50: On July 25, four artillery shells fell into the Monorom 1+2 Primary School, at Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province, according to Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport.
15:45: Thailand’s foreign ministry has rejected international mediation efforts, instead opting for a bilateral solution to the ongoing conflict. The Spokesperson for the Thai Foreign Ministry said that Thailand “stand[s] by our position that bilateral mechanism is the best way out, this is a confrontation between the two countries.”
15:15: Fighting has spread to 12 locations along the Thai-Cambodian border, says Thai Military official.
14:50: Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Friday, July 25, called for diplomatic dialogue to ease violence in the border area.
14:45: The United States Embassy in Phnom Penh, in a post on social media, expressed grave concern by reports of “the escalating fighting” along the Cambodian-Thai border. They “strongly urged” the “immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes.”
14:16: Labor rights organization, CENTRAL, reports that at least 15 Cambodian migrant workers have been subjected to violence by Thai extremist individuals.
14:10: Ministry of Education spokesperson Khuon Vichheka said that hundreds of schools have been closed across three provinces—Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Oddar Meanchey—due to the escalating border conflict with Thailand.
Banteay Meanchey Province:
- In Malai district, schools in five communes have been closed.
- In Poipet city, schools in all communes have been closed.
- In Svay Chek district, seven schools have been closed.
- In Thmar Puok district, all schools have been shut down.
Preah Vihear Province:
- In Choam Ksan district, all 61 schools have been closed.
Oddar Meanchey Province:
All 260 schools across the province have been closed.
11:40 a.m: Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prank Sokhonn, conducted a briefing for members of the diplomatic corps informing them of developments regarding the border clashes.
11:35 a.m: The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) strongly condemned Thailand’s actions, following reports that the Royal Thai Armed Forces deployed cluster munitions near areas populated by civilians on July 25, 2025.
11:30 a.m: UNICEF expressed deep concern over escalating violence along the Thailand–Cambodia border. The agency urged both countries to protect children, ensure schools remain safe, and uphold international law.
11:10 a.m: Oddar Meanchey provincial spokesperson Met Measpheakdey confirmed that 260 schools across the province have been closed due to the ongoing Thai incursion.
11:00 a.m: National Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata, speaking at a press conference on Friday, rejected claims by Thai media that their forces had seized Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Svarak and Preah Vihear temples. She asserted that both locations remain under Cambodian control and within Cambodian territory.
Clashes continue on the Thai-Cambodian border, as the conflict enters its second day. Fighting was reported in Oddar Meanchey in Preah Vihear provinces starting earlier this morning. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting later today to address the issue.
The Preah Vihear deputy governor Kim Chanpanha said that between 3 a.m and 4 a.m. Thai troops launched an assault, prompting a Cambodian military response. Currently, the exchange of fire is ongoing in the areas of Mom Bei, An Ses, and Bos Sbov, he added.
Thailand earlier claimed that Cambodia opened fire near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, however, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense rejected the accusation. It asserted that Thai forces fired first which caused Cambodia to fight back in self defense.
The armed clash is the first of such incidents since a deadly exchange in May.
Within hours of the clash yesterday, Prime Minister Hun Manet requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting to “stop Thailand’s aggression”, which is expected to hold a closed-door emergency meeting session on Friday at 3 p.m. (1900 GMT) to address the deadly border conflict.
Meanwhile, Anouar El Anouni, EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, posted on X regarding their deep concern of the rising tension at the border with reports of civilian casualties.
“We call on both sides to de-escalate and resolve disputes through dialogue and other peaceful means in line with international law, including the UN Charter,” he said.
Countries across the region have also expressed their “deep concern” about the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.
Japan, a longtime development partner of Cambodia, mentioned that “a sound relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is extremely important for peace and stability in the region”. Similarly, the Philippines’ Foreign Ministry emphasized the need to “de-escalate”.
The UNICEF East Asia Pacific Regional Director insisted that the safety and well-being of children must be first priority, and that schools must remain safe spaces for continued learning.
Up to 25,00 villagers have been forcibly evacuated, and the number continues to rise as of midnight on July 25, from areas near the fighting zone in Preah Vihear, according to deputy governor Kim Chanpanha.
However, he could not confirm any fatalities or injuries, despite reports that a Thai fighter jet dropped two bombs in Preah Vihear.
In Oddar Meanchey, deputy governor Met Measpheakdey confirmed on Friday that one Cambodian civilian was killed and five others were injured during a Thai military incursion.
He said approximately 2,400 families have been safely evacuated from conflict zones in the province.
Measpheakdey noted that the evacuees include residents from 12 villages and three communes in Banteay Ampil district, located near the areas of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces around Ta Moan Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Thma Daun.
In total, including those from other affected areas, around 2,400 families are now sheltering in safe locations in all the districts of Oddar Meanchey province.
Ly Kimeng, deputy village chief of Aphiwat village in O’Smach, Oddar Meanchey, told CamboJA News that his village is now silent as most residents have evacuated to safer areas. He has also left O’Smarch for Chung Kal district on the advice of the authorities. He said fighting is ongoing, with “rockets flying across his home” in O’Smach.
“I slept in O’Smach last night. I wanted to leave last night, but there were too many rockets flying across the road, so I couldn’t get out,” he said.
“We lived through the Pol Pot era, but this time I’m truly afraid—the rockets are bigger, and today’s weapons are more modern. I’m scared, but I have to find a safe place,” said Bouy Nge, another villager.
Political analyst Meas Nee told CamboJA News that continued clashes could lead to significant loss of life, and impacts beyond the economy.
“In times of tension, the economy and livelihoods are affected. But in war-like situations, like yesterday’s clash, lives—both soldiers and civilians—will be lost on both sides. If this continues, more lives will be at risk,” he said.
Nee added that negotiations are necessary to prevent further casualties, but emphasized that this does not mean Cambodia should be the one to initiate talks, as Thailand fired first. Instead, Cambodia must stand firm to defend itself.
(Reporting by Seoung Nimol, Khuon Narim, Rafael Liebowitz-Thayer)
