Cambodia attacks have killed 11 civilians, says Thai health minister

By AFP, Reuters July 24, 2025 | 02:39 am PT

Cambodian soldiers load ammunitions in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. Photo by AFP

As many as 11 Thai civilians and one soldier have been killed in the latest outbreak of border hostilities with Cambodia that began on Thursday, Thailand's health minister said.

Somsak Thepsuthin told reporters that Cambodia's actions, including an attack on a hospital, should be considered war crimes.

Caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told a press conference there had been no declaration of war and conflict was not spreading into more provinces. He said Cambodia had fired heavy weapons into Thailand without any specific targets, resulting in civilian deaths, Reuters reported.

Fighting must first stop between Thailand and Cambodia before there can be negotiations, Phumthai added.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on Thailand and Cambodia to "stand down" following the deadly border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

"The least we can expect is for them to stand down and hopefully try to enter into negotiation," said Anwar, whose country currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which includes Cambodia and Thailand, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, China said it was "deeply concerned" over deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, which mark a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbors.

"We are deeply concerned over the current developments (and) hope both sides can properly resolve issues through dialogue and consultations," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. "Good-neighbourliness and properly handling differences are in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides," he said.