ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Intensifying airstrikes and heavy artillery fire across Thailand and Cambodia are placing civilians at serious risk, warned UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday.
“I am deeply concerned by reports that villages and cultural sites are being targeted by fighter jets, drones, and artillery,” he said on December 18, 2025.
“Under international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is paramount.”
Fighting Surges: Civilian Casualties Mount
Since hostilities reignited on 7 December, Cambodia has reported 18 civilian deaths, while Thailand has reported one.
Strikes are increasingly being reported farther from the border, striking deep into each other’s territory.
This latest escalation follows the most serious border clashes in a decade. To date, around 750,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, Türk said.
Additional Risks for Trapped Civilians
Casino complexes and suspected scam centers in Cambodia have reportedly been hit.
In O’smach, a town in northwestern Cambodia, an airstrike on 8 December killed one civilian and injured two others, according to a survivor.
Many trafficked foreign nationals forced to work in such operations now face heightened risks from the fighting, the High Commissioner warned, urging immediate evacuation.
“Ensuring the safety of civilians and enabling their safe return home is vital,” Türk said.
Regional Implications: Asia Southeast on Edge
The renewed Thailand-Cambodia conflict poses broader risks for Southeast Asia, a region already navigating complex political, economic, and security dynamics.
Cross-border instability threatens trade corridors, tourism, and foreign investment, particularly in Cambodia’s border provinces and Thailand’s eastern regions.
Humanitarian displacement could strain neighboring countries, while escalating military tensions risk undermining ASEAN’s decades-long framework for regional peace and cooperation.
Analysts warn that prolonged conflict may embolden non-state actors and transnational criminal networks exploiting the chaos, from human trafficking to illegal gambling operations.
“Beyond the immediate human toll, this conflict could destabilize regional economic growth, complicate diplomatic relations, and set a dangerous precedent for border disputes elsewhere in Southeast Asia,” noted a regional security expert.
A Call for Peace
He urged both sides to end hostilities and return to dialogue.
“Thailand and Cambodia have built a strong foundation of cooperation over many years, rooted in shared history and values, including their commitment to human rights,” he noted.
“This conflict stands in stark contrast to that legacy of partnership. Both nations have the tools and ties to chart a path back to dialogue and lasting peace.” (AT Network)
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