December 19, 2025 | 12:40 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tens of thousands of Cambodian citizens held a peaceful rally on Thursday as the border conflict with Thailand continues. As reported by Anadolu, participants urged both the Cambodian and Thai governments to respect the existing ceasefire agreement.
The crowds gathered in the capital, Phnom Penh, to call for peace in a conflict that began on December 7. Now in its 12th day, the fighting has claimed at least 55 lives on both sides. The violence has also forced nearly one million people from both countries to flee their homes near the border areas.
Thai authorities report that 21 soldiers and 16 civilians have been killed in the clashes. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Interior Ministry stated that 18 of its civilians have died and 78 others have been injured.
The Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) organized the event. According to the state news agency, Agence Kampuchea Presse, the march aimed "to demonstrate Cambodia's commitment to peace but also to urge respect for the ceasefire and the peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand."
UYFC head Hun Many led the march through the capital. "We are all witnessing the consequences of war. This is the second border clash in the seven-month conflict, and the Cambodian people are fully aware of the dangers of war," he said during the event.
Volker Turk, the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, expressed deep concern over reports of attacks near villages and cultural sites. He noted that fighter jets, drones, and artillery have hit these sensitive areas. "Under international humanitarian law, it is very clear that protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is paramount," he stated, urging both sides to "cease fire immediately and return to dialogue."
Thailand Bombards Cambodia
On Thursday, Thailand launched more airstrikes into Cambodia. The Thai military claimed its fighter jets targeted a warehouse where Cambodian soldiers stored rockets used in recent battles. Since the conflict began, fighting has broken out on several fronts along the border.
Thailand has used F-16 fighter jets for air raids, while Cambodia responded by firing thousands of BM-21 medium-range rockets. These truck-mounted launchers can fire up to 40 rockets at once. On Thursday, Cambodia reported that Thai jets dropped bombs on Poipet, a northwestern city that serves as a major trade and casino hub.
Reports indicate that Thai F-16 jets dropped three bombs on a residential area in Poipet. The attack partially damaged a warehouse and caused minor injuries to two civilians. This escalation comes despite a statement last week from President Donald Trump claiming that both leaders had agreed to stop the fighting.
The two nations signed a peace agreement in October in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. However, the agreement was suspended a month later after Thai soldiers were severely injured by a landmine explosion. The two countries have a long history of border disputes, including a clash in July that killed at least 48 people.
Read: Cambodia Says Thailand Bombed Casino Town on Border
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