Statement Condemning Attacks on Civilian Targets

Statement Condemning Attacks on Civilian Targets

On 24 July 2025, at 08:20 hrs., Cambodian soldiers opened fire on a Thai military base at Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin Province of Thailand, resulting in the immediate injury of two Thai soldiers. Shortly after, Cambodian troops launched indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory across four provinces of Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani.

At approximately 11:54 hrs. on the same day, Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin Province was struck by Cambodian artillery fire. These aggressive, indiscriminate and unlawful acts against Thai civilians have caused serious harm and led to the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives, including women and children. Civilian infrastructure, including a hospital and a school, also sustained significant damages. As of 25 July 2025 at 14:00 hrs., the attacks had resulted in 13 deaths and 46 injuries of civilians.

Furthermore, Cambodia’s indiscriminate attacks against civilians, civilian infrastructure, and public facilities, particularly medical establishments constitute clear and serious violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. These include, among others, Article 19 of the First Geneva Convention (protection of medical units and establishments) and Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (protection of civilian hospitals). Thailand strongly condemns these inhumane acts, which are in blatant contradiction to the obligations under the aforementioned Geneva Conventions.

Thailand has sent a letter to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, to place on record our strong condemnation of these egregious violations of international humanitarian law.

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