he Cambodian diaspora holds a rally to call for peace in the ongoing armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia in front of the Victoria Parliament in the state of Victoria, Australia. Source: X
Bangkok/Phnom Penh: Intense cross-border shelling between Thai and Cambodian forces continued on Sunday, July 27, 2025, claiming more civilian lives and deepening an escalating border crisis. A Cambodian rocket struck a villager’s house in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, Thailand, today, killing one civilian and injuring another. Cambodian officials reported no new casualties, with prior losses in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces standing at 13 deaths (eight civilians, five soldiers) as of July 26.
Over 175,000 people have been displaced, with Thailand evacuating approximately 138,000 residents to nearly 300 temporary shelters and Cambodia reporting around 37,635 displaced in three provinces. Cambodian relief agencies note overwhelmed field hospitals and disrupted access to food and medical supplies. The death toll as of July 27 reached at least 33, with Thailand reporting 20 deaths (14 civilians, six soldiers) and Cambodia confirming 13 deaths (eight civilians, five soldiers). Both sides have deployed advanced military hardware, including Thai F-16 fighter jets striking Cambodian military targets and Cambodian BM-21 Grad rockets targeting Thai areas. Cambodia accused Thailand of using banned cluster munitions on July 25, a claim Thailand denies and which remains unverified.
Also read: Border Bloodbath: Thailand Strikes as Cambodia Conflict Explodes
Diplomatic efforts intensified on July 27. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate calls with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, urging de-escalation and a ceasefire. Rubio emphasised President Donald Trump’s push for peace and the U.S.’s willingness to support dialogue. Malaysia, chairing ASEAN, confirmed that Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would attend a ceasefire meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, July 28, mediated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Cambodia claimed Thailand reneged on a July 24 ceasefire proposal, a charge Thailand disputes, insisting on bilateral talks. On July 27, Thailand signalled conditional support for a ceasefire, with Phumtham requesting Trump convey to Cambodia the need for “sincere intention” in bilateral dialogue. Skirmishes continued on July 27, including heavy artillery exchanges near Preah Vihear and Ta Krabey temples, dampening hopes for an immediate resolution.
The humanitarian crisis worsened on July 27, with schools, homes, health centres (including Phanom Dong Rak hospital in Thailand), and marketplaces damaged or destroyed. Cambodian families fled to forest monasteries or makeshift shelters, while Thai border communities remained under curfew and martial law in eight districts. Aid workers reported shortages of medical supplies and food, with some camps experiencing electricity outages. Residents described pervasive fear amid sirens and explosions.
Today marked the fourth day since Thailand invaded Cambodia on July 24, 2025. This escalation, the most severe in over a decade, follows tensions sparked in May 2025 by a Cambodian soldier’s death and worsened by landmine incidents injuring Thai soldiers. Despite calls for restraint from the United Nations, including an emergency Security Council meeting on July 25, violence persisted on July 27. Attention now focuses on the Kuala Lumpur talks to halt the conflict, as civilians bear the brunt of the crisis.
– global bihari bureau
