New York, July 25, 2025 — The United Nations has called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint amid ongoing hostilities along their shared border, which have resulted in significant civilian displacement and casualties. The Security Council convened today for an emergency private meeting to address the escalating conflict that began on July 24.

Clashes between the two Southeast Asian nations have involved exchanges of gunfire, artillery shelling, and rocket fire, with reports indicating that Thailand has conducted airstrikes inside Cambodian territory. The violence has led to confirmed civilian casualties, including children, according to UN humanitarian officials.

Relief agencies report that more than 131,000 people in Thailand and over 4,000 in Cambodia have been displaced due to the conflict. Many internally displaced persons (IDPs) are seeking shelter in overcrowded facilities such as schools and temples. Urgent needs include food, shelter, and medical assistance, with local authorities and humanitarian partners working to meet this growing crisis.

UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay emphasized the organization’s readiness to support humanitarian efforts, stating, “The United Nations stands ready to assist upon request to address the humanitarian needs created by this conflict.”

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also issued a statement urging both governments to uphold their obligations under international law. “Children must be protected at all times, and their safety and well-being must be prioritized,” said June Kunugi, UNICEF’s Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, based in Bangkok. She stressed that schools must remain safe spaces for learning and called for enhanced protection of children amid the hostilities.

At UN Headquarters, the Security Council’s private meeting included representatives from Thailand and Cambodia. Khaled Khiari, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Asia and Pacific Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), provided a briefing on the situation. The closed-door session underscores the gravity of the conflict and the international community’s concern.

This escalation marks the latest in a series of border tensions between the two nations, with the most significant flare-up occurring in 2011 near the Preah Vihear temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That conflict resulted in casualties and prompted calls from then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution through dialogue. Tensions have persisted over the years, notably around the 11th-century Hindu temple on the border, which has been a longstanding source of dispute.

The United Nations has reiterated its call for a peaceful resolution and adherence to international law, urging both countries to de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue to prevent further violence that threatens regional stability.