The meeting of the Security Council on Thailand - Cambodia border tension is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. on July 25, New York time (2:00 a.m. on July 26, Hanoi time).
The meeting at the United Nations headquarters was called in response to the urgent request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to call on the international community to intervene after the conflict between the two neighboring countries of Southeast Asia.
On July 25, the Thai - Cambodian army was still fighting. The Thai military accused Cambodia of using heavy weapons. "Cambodian forces have conducted continuous shelling operations using heavy weapons, surface-to-air artillery and BM-21 missile systems. Thai forces responded with supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation" - the Thai army stated in a statement. On July 25, Thai Military Region 2 called on people to avoid the border area as fighting continued in some locations.
On the same day, the Cambodian government's bomb and mine management agency accused the Thai military of using "a large quantity of cluster bombs", calling it a serious violation of humanitarian standards. According to the accusation, a large number of cluster bombs were used by Thailand twice within 90 minutes in Preah Vihear province.
According to the Thai Ministry of Health, the number of casualties in the country in the border war with Cambodia has increased to 15, including 14 civilians. 46 people were injured, including 15 soldiers.
Cambodia has not provided details about casualties or evacuation of civilians, although Deputy Governor of Oddar Meanchey Met Measpheakdey said a 70-year-old civilian was killed and five others were injured in the province.
In the context of the Cambodia - Thailand border conflict, Thai businesses are issuing emergency backup plans, including canceling events, increasing inventories of goods and preparing for evacuation.
The closure of the Thailand - Cambodia border crossing points from July 24 disrupts bilateral trade, which is around 174.53 billion baht ($4.78 billion) in 2024. According to the Cambodia Development Council (CDC), Thailand's investment in Cambodia reached 3.785 billion USD, employing 62,733 Cambodian workers, mainly in the agricultural sector.
The Thai Industry Federation confirmed that Thai investors have not yet suffered direct losses. However, concerns are growing about the possibility of disruption to shipping routes.
In other related developments, Cambodia ordered the temporary closure of all 260 schools across Oddar Meanchey province due to border fighting.
The Cambodian Ministry of Health has held a meeting on July 24 to review a strategic plan for the provision of medical services and emergency assistance along the border area. Minister of Health Chheang Ra directed the health departments to organize teams of doctors and nurses to rotate to replace frontline medical staff when necessary.
Some hospitals near Thailand's border with Cambodia have also been completely or partially closed. In Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand, 3 medical facilities were affected, including 2 hospitals completely closed, 1 hospital partially closed. In Sisaket province, two hospitals have completely closed. In Surin province, 2 hospitals were partially closed and 2 hospitals were completely closed. One hospital in Buriram province has closed while two others in the province have been partially closed.
