UN Expresses Concern over Conflict on Thailand-Cambodia Border

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed deep concern over renewed armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, calling on both countries to step back from further conflict and return to dialogue.

In a statement released by his spokesman on Monday, Mr Guterres said he was “concerned” by reports of intensified fighting along the two neighbours’ shared frontier, including alleged air strikes and the mobilisation of heavy military equipment. He urged both sides to “exercise restraint and avoid further escalation”.

The latest violence has already led to “significant civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure, and displacement on both sides of the border,” the statement said. The Secretary-General stressed that protecting civilians and ensuring access for humanitarian relief must remain the top priority as tensions rise.

Mr Guterres reiterated his call for Cambodia and Thailand to recommit to the ceasefire and return to the framework of the Joint Declaration they signed in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October. That agreement laid out steps for de-escalation and confidence-building measures, which the UN chief said were essential to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

He also urged both governments to make “full use of all mechanisms for dialogue” to achieve a lasting, peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“The United Nations stands ready to support all efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and development in the region,” the statement concluded.