UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, warning that civilian areas and cultural sites are increasingly being targeted by fighter jets, drones, and artillery. He emphasized that under international humanitarian law, protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure is of paramount importance.
Since fighting resumed on 7 December, Cambodia has reported 18 civilian deaths, while Thailand has recorded one. Strikes have been reported further from the border, reaching deeper into each country’s territory. This recent escalation follows a summer of intensifying clashes, marking the most serious border violence between the two nations in a decade. To date, approximately 750,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
Civilians are facing heightened risks, particularly those near casinos and suspected scam centres in Cambodia that have reportedly been hit. In O’smach, northwestern Cambodia, an air strike on 8 December killed one civilian and injured two others. Many trafficked foreign nationals forced to work in such operations are also increasingly vulnerable, prompting calls for their urgent evacuation. Türk stressed that ensuring the safety of civilians and enabling their safe return home is critical.
The UN High Commissioner urged both Thailand and Cambodia to end the fighting and resume dialogue. He highlighted that the two countries share a strong history of cooperation and a commitment to human rights, and that they possess the tools and relationships needed to restore peace. The conflict, he noted, starkly contrasts with this legacy of partnership and underscores the urgent need for dialogue and lasting resolution.
