On December 21, the Thailand-Cambodia border clashes reached a grim milestone: 53 civilians killed in just two weeks, according to the latest updates from China News Service and official Thai sources. The fighting, which reignited on December 7 over disputed territory near the historic Preah Vihear Temple, has also displaced more than half a million people on both sides. 😢
Casualties and displacement
Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior confirmed 19 civilian deaths and 79 injuries, with over 510,000 residents displaced from their homes. On the Thai side, the Defense Ministry reported 34 civilian fatalities, while border-affairs data show 21 Thai soldiers have died defending Sa Kaeo Province’s highlands.
Escalating exchanges
As of December 21, tensions remain high. Thai F-16 jets struck a suspected Cambodian weapons depot hidden in an abandoned casino and bombed supply lines. Cambodian forces responded with drone strikes and rocket launcher attacks, aiming at Thai positions on the strategic Highland 350 hill.
Voices from the front
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Meas Sopheakdet decried the “major security threat” posed by Thai military operations on innocent civilians and cultural heritage sites. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul countered that Thailand’s forces have secured nearly all target areas and bolstered surveillance to prevent further flare-ups. 🤝
Diplomacy in action
In a bid to cool the crisis, China’s Foreign Ministry has stepped up shuttle diplomacy. On December 18, Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke separately with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijun, departed that day for both capitals to advance peace efforts.
Meanwhile, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is hosting an Extraordinary Meeting of Foreign Ministers today in Kuala Lumpur under Malaysia’s chairmanship. Both Thailand and Cambodia have confirmed attendance, hoping to translate past de-escalation agreements into lasting calm.
The world watches as young diplomats meet to turn the page on this fraught chapter—and hopefully bring relief to hundreds of thousands caught in the crossfire. 🌏✨
Reference(s):
Thailand-Cambodia clashes kill 53 civilians; China, ASEAN mediate
cgtn.com
