UPDATES:
6:15 a.m: Today, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will lead a delegation to attend a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur hosted by Malaysia, co-organized by the United States and with participation of China.
“The purpose of this meeting is to achieve an immediate ceasefire, which was initiated by President Donald Trump and agreed to by both Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand,” said Hun Manet.
22:30 p.m.: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prak Sokhonn to urge the government to deescalate tensions immediately and agree to a ceasefire with Thailand over the ongoing border dispute.
Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump’s desire for peace and immediate ceasefire. The United States is prepared to facilitate future discussions in order to ensure peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia.
Rubio also spoke to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, conveying a similar message, a statement by the US Embassy in Thailand showed.
17:02: Thai troops continued to conduct artillery raids on locations in Region 4 such as Ta Moan Thom, Chub Korki, Thmar Doun, Veal Entry, 5 Makara, Phnom Kmouch, and An Ses, the National Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said in the latest press briefing.
The situation in Region 5, covering Banteay Meanchey province, remains unchanged, although Thai forces continue to mobilize troops along the border. Pursat and the maritime border near Koh Kong remain calm.
She said casualties were reported due to the attack by Thai soldiers, which also caused significant damage to the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, pagodas, health centers, petrol stations, markets, and people’s houses.
The ministry reiterated that Thailand launched the attack on Cambodian territory first —- beginning July 24, which is now in its fourth day.
She also rejected claims found on the Thai Royal Army social media page accusing Cambodia of using PHL-03 rocket launchers, stating that it is fake news, and that Cambodia has no reason or necessity to use the long range missile.
16:58: Cambodians living in Auckland (New Zealand), Australia, South Korea, and Japan, as well as Cambodian sympathizers held a protest against Thailand’s invasion of Cambodia.
15:06: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts condemned Thai armed forces for their continued and intensified shelling of Preah Vihear Temple on July 27.
The Ministry said, “These renewed acts of aggression have placed the temple in grave and unprecedented danger”. They call for immediate international attention to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site, and for the United Nations to preserve culture and protect the site.
11:45 a.m: National Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said the Thai infantry launched assaults on Cambodia’s territory from 6:00 a.m at Phnom Kmouch, An Ses, and Veal Entry, 5 Makara.
Region 5 (Banteay Meanchey): Thailand has planned an invasion using two reconnaissance aircraft, and deployed troops, tanks, and armored personnel carriers since Saturday.
The ministry considers these actions a direct violation of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries, Socheata said.
Battambang Province: Thai troops have begun deploying weapons along the Cambodia-Thailand border in Sampov Loun district, raising concerns of increased attacks.
11:05 a.m: Battambang governor Sok Lou said information from the Thai side states that about 100,000 Cambodians have returned to Cambodia through the Daung International Checkpoint on July 27.
10:17 a.m: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport announced that 600 schools across five provinces have been closed due to the ongoing conflict, affecting 150,000 students and 6,000 teachers on July 27.
Thai military continued to fight with Cambodia even though both parties agreed in principle to a ceasefire with US President Donald Trump.
National Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said in a press briefing on Sunday morning that Thai troops opened fire on Cambodia from 2.a.m at several places.
Trump called for a ceasefire to the border clash during a phone conversation with Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. In a post on Truth Social, he said both countries are looking for an “immediate ceasefire and peace”.
He noted that both countries are at the “trading table” with the United States, but talks on tariffs are “inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting stops”.
Following the discussion with Trump regarding the fighting, Hun Manet said the US leader wanted to see an “immediate ceasefire” and “peace” between the countries, which has led to many deaths and injuries on both sides.
“I made it clear to Honorable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” Hun Manet posted on his Facebook page earlier today.
“This is positive news for the soldiers and people of both countries,” he stated, hoping that the Thai side will not reverse its position as they did with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coordinated effort on July 24.
The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Saturday that Thailand “agreed in principle” to implement a ceasefire following Wechayachai’s talk with Trump, and wants to see Cambodia’s “sincere intention”.
Thailand asked Trump to tell Cambodia that they want 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”.
However, National Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said as of now, Thai soldiers continue incursions into Cambodian territory, acting “aggressively” and intimidatory since July 24.
According to Socheata, Thai forces have deployed artillery, drones, cluster bombs, and fighter jets against Cambodian territory in the disputed areas.
Despite the attacks, Cambodian forces have “remained strong and are committed to defending national sovereignty”, she told a press briefing today.
The ministry continues to condemn the Thai army’s invasion, which has caused chaos along the Cambodia-Thailand border, violating Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and posing a threat to regional peace, as was reported to the United Nations Security Council, she said.
Timeline Attack
July 26, 10:40 am – Thai forces dropped two bombs on a route leading to the Preah Vihear Temple.
11:56 am – Thai fighter jets dropped cluster bombs on Phnom Khmoch.
2:30 pm – Thai tanks launched an assault on Veal Entry.
The situation de-escalated somewhat between 2:30 pm and 10:00 pm.
Sunday, 2:00 am – Thai soldiers resumed assault on Veal Entry.
2:30 am – Attacks were launched on the Tatav and Phnom Khmoch areas, with drones reportedly flying over Cambodian airspace.
4:50 am – Thai artillery targeted the Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabei temples.
6:00 am – Assaults continued at Phnom Khmoch.
Thailand expanded attacks on undisputed areas along the border in Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, and Battambang. In addition, a Thai drone reportedly flew into Cambodian maritime territory between Koh Nhor and Koh Kong Krao, though no attacks have been reported so far.
The ministry described Thailand’s actions as “aggressive and coercive,” stating that they have severely impacted civilians and caused significant damage to property and infrastructure.
Socheata said during the four days of conflict, around 25,000 families, roughly 80,000 people from Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces have been moved to safe areas.
In addition, 536 schools across 14 districts in five provinces have been affected, causing more than 130,000 students to not attend classes due to the violence and threats from the Thai military incursion.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry spokesperson Chum Sounry said Cambodia is seeking more support from the international community, reaffirming the country’s commitment to pursue a diplomatic resolution.
He said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim continued to call for a ceasefire which the Thai side agreed as principle. Anwar advised ASEAN foreign ministers to facilitate the process with their counterparts in Cambodia and Thailand.
Meanwhile, he said Thailand is preparing to file complaints with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Court of Justice against Cambodia for allegedly violating international humanitarian law by attacking civilians and a hospital.
“I reject this accusation as baseless and unsupported by evidence,” Sounry said, referring to the statement issued by the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry.
He added that Cambodia strictly adheres to the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, and has made every effort to avoid targeting civilians during the conflict.
Sounry reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two countries, urging Thailand to return to diplomatic dialogue instead of making baseless accusations against Cambodia.
He also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations and ASEAN, to make a thorough and fair judgment considering the historical and cultural context of Thailand’s aggression.
