Escalating Border Clashes Between Thailand and Cambodia Leave Civilians Dead and Injured

As fighting intensified on the Thai-Cambodian border since July 24, Human Rights Watch has expressed deep concern over the impact of the conflict on civilians. The clashes, which involve the use of explosive weapons, have resulted in civilian casualties, including children, and damage to medical facilities, religious sites, and cultural heritage. Human Rights Watch has urged the Thai and Cambodian governments to adhere to international humanitarian law and take necessary steps to protect civilians and prevent further harm.

Key Takeaways:

• As of July 25, at least 14 civilians, including children, have been killed and 31 wounded in Cambodian rocket and artillery attacks on a hospital, supermarket, and houses in Thailand.
• More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from border areas, and at least 852 schools and 7 hospitals have been closed for safety reasons.
• Human Rights Watch geolocated photographs showing structural damage to buildings and a Buddhist pagoda in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province.
• Thai Armed Forces deployed F-16 jets and drones to launch airstrikes, while Cambodian government agencies accused Thailand of using cluster munitions, which Thailand later confirmed.
• Human Rights Watch considers use of cluster munitions in populated areas to be unlawfully indiscriminate and urged Thailand and Cambodia to refrain from using the weapon.
• International humanitarian law obligates parties to distinguish between combatants and civilians, minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects, and take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties.
• Thailand and Cambodia have endorsed the 2022 political declaration committing to adopt and implement national policies to avoid and address civilian harm.

Statistics:

• At least 14 civilians, including children, have been killed in Cambodian rocket and artillery attacks.
• 31 civilians have been wounded in the same attacks.
• Over 100,000 people have been evacuated from border areas.
• 852 schools and 7 hospitals have been closed for safety reasons.
• The Cambodian government has reported one civilian killed and five injured in Oddar Meanchey province.
• Human Rights Watch has geolocated photographs showing damage to at least two buildings and a Buddhist pagoda.

Sources:

• Human Rights Watch, "Thailand: Cluster Munitions in Populated Areas Prohibited" (no date provided)
• Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, statement on July 24, 2025
• United Nations Security Council (UNSC), statement on July 25, 2025 (no exact source provided in the text)
• Cambodian government agencies, statements on July 25, 2025
• Human Rights Watch, "Cambodia and Thailand Should End Deadly Border Fighting" (no date provided)
• Convention on Cluster Munitions (no date provided)