GENEVA, Switzerland (25 July 2025) — The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply alarmed by the escalation of violence along the borders of Thailand and Cambodia which has resulted in the death and displacement of civilians.
FORUM-ASIA urges both Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint to prevent further casualties. We call on the two countries to return to diplomatic channels to resolve the conflict.
We also urge ASEAN to step up and mediate tensions between Thailand and Cambodia until a peaceful resolution is reached.
What happened
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has existed for decades.
In May 2025, tensions escalated following an exchange of fire between troops stationed in a contested area. Both governments then imposed restrictions, including the closure of their land borders, banning of certain goods for imports, and restricting internet access.
Tensions further escalated on 24 July when both countries launched unprecedented levels of airstrikes, bombings, and shellings. These resulted in at least 13 civilian deaths, with multiple others wounded and at least 40,000 displaced from more than 80 villages across the border areas.
Call to action
Thailand and Cambodia must uphold their human rights obligations and exercise utmost restraint to prevent further conflict escalation and the loss of civilian lives.
Civilians living in the border areas should not have to live in fear.
FORUM-ASIA also welcomes Malaysia’s statement—as chair of ASEAN—on its willingness to facilitate an amicable resolution. As specified under Article 32 of the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Chair must ensure an effective and timely response to urgent or crisis situations.
Considering the exigent circumstances, we urge Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair to urgently hold an ASEAN Leaders’ meeting with the goal of reaching a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Such a meeting would not be unprecedented as ASEAN had facilitated a similar event in 2021 under the bid of Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia, which led to the Five-Point Consensus for the situation in Myanmar.
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is a network of 90 member organisations across 23 countries, mainly in Asia. Founded in 1991, FORUM-ASIA works to strengthen movements for human rights and sustainable development through research, advocacy, capacity development and solidarity actions in Asia and beyond. It has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and consultative relationship with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. The FORUM-ASIA Secretariat is based in Bangkok, with offices in Jakarta, Geneva and Kathmandu. www.forum-asia.org
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- Communications and Media Programme, FORUM-ASIA, communication@forum-asia.org
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