Merve Aydogan
08 December 2025•Update: 08 December 2025
HAMILTON, Canada
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday voiced concern over renewed armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, urging both governments to step back from further escalation as tensions rise along their shared border.
"The Secretary-General is concerned by reports of renewed armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, particularly the reported airstrikes and mobilization of heavy equipment in the border area. He urges both parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation," said a statement by Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
The border dispute has already resulted in "significant civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure, and displacement on both sides of the border," the statement said.
Guterres "stresses that both parties must protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian relief" as the situation threatens to worsen.
Reiterating his appeal for de-escalation, Guterres urged Cambodia and Thailand to return to the framework of the Joint Declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26.
He called on both sides to "recommit to the ceasefire, and implement de-escalation and confidence-building measures," emphasizing the need to use existing dialogue mechanisms to pursue a peaceful resolution.
"The United Nations stands ready to support all efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, and development in the region," it added.
Tensions between the two neighbors escalated last month following Thailand's suspension of a peace pact between the two sides after four Thai soldiers were wounded in a landmine explosion in the border province of Si Sa Ket.
The two countries had signed a peace agreement in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur in October.
Earlier in July, they agreed to an unconditional ceasefire at a trilateral meeting hosted by Anwar following weeks of hostilities.
