logo
Pinoys in Cambodia, Thailand advised to avoid conflict areas

Pinoys in Cambodia, Thailand advised to avoid conflict areas

GMA Network21 hours ago
The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia advised Filipinos in areas near the Cambodia-Thailand border to avoid conflict areas amid tensions between the two countries.
"Stay away from areas where military operations are reported. Avoid military camps, facilities, and forces," it said in an advisory posted on Facebook on Thursday.
The embassy also advised them to monitor the news for the latest updates on the security situation.
"Pay close attention to official advisories from national and local agencies, and strictly follow instructions from authorities to ensure your safety," it added.
Filipinos were also urged to report their situation and keep the embassy informed of their current location and circumstances.
The embassy said Filipinos may contact the Embassy's Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline or email as follows:
ATN Hotline: +855 98 888 771 (Call/SMS/Viber/Telegram/WhatsApp)
ATN Email: phnompenhpe.atn@dfa.gov.ph
"The safety and well-being of all Filipinos remain our top consideration," it said.
Filipinos residing in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear, which are border provinces, were advised to accomplish the Embassy's survey for its coordination efforts, by filling out a Google form.
"The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia stands ready to assist affected Filipinos and will continue to closely monitor the border situation. Those in need of immediate assistance or further guidance may contact the Embassy directly," the embassy said.
Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia troops have been reported at the border, resulting in the deaths of 20 people and displacement of more than 130,000, according to a Reuters report.
READ: EXPLAINER: Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting along their border?
The Philippines on Thursday called on Thailand and Cambodia to settle their conflict peacefully under international law as border disputes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors escalate.
Thailand has declared martial law in eight of its districts bordering Cambodia on Friday, according to a report by Agence France-Presse. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thai-Cambodian fighting extends into third day, Malaysia urges ceasefire
Thai-Cambodian fighting extends into third day, Malaysia urges ceasefire

GMA Network

time7 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Thai-Cambodian fighting extends into third day, Malaysia urges ceasefire

People gather to receive water supplies donated at Batthkao Primary School camp, amid ongoing clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border that extended to the third day, with new flashpoints emerging as both sides seek diplomatic support and urge for negotiations, in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Soveit Yarn SISAKET, Thailand - Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border extended into a third day and new flashpoints emerged on Saturday as both sides said they had acted in self-defense in the border dispute and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations. More than 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbors in 13 years. There were clashes early on Saturday, both sides said, in the neighboring Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia's Pursat Province early, a new front more than 100 km (60 miles) from other conflict points along the long-contested border. The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. As of Saturday, Thailand said seven soldiers and 13 civilians had been killed in the clashes, while in Cambodia five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed, said Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata. In the Thai border province of Sisaket, a university compound has been converted into temporary accommodation, where a volunteer said more than 5,000 people were staying. Samrong Khamduang said she left her farm, about 10 km from the border, when fighting broke out on Thursday. The 51-year-old's husband stayed behind to look after livestock. "We got so scared with the sound of artillery," she said. "But my husband stayed back and now we lost the connection. I couldn't call him. I don't know what is happening back there." In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, said he would continue to push a ceasefire proposal. Cambodia has backed Anwar's plan, while Thailand has said it agreed with it in principle. "There is still some exchange of fire," Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama. He said he had asked his foreign minister "to liaise with the respective foreign ministries and, if possible, I will continue engaging with them myself – at least to halt the fighting". Security Council meeting Thailand's ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July - claims Cambodia has strongly denied - and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning. "Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith," Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media. Cambodia's defense ministry said Thailand had launched "a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack" and was mobilizing troops and military equipment on the border. "These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand's intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Cambodia called for the international community to "condemn Thailand's aggression in the strongest terms" and to prevent an expansion of its military activities, while Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognized the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach. — Reuters

Thailand and Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as border battle expands
Thailand and Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as border battle expands

GMA Network

time20 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Thailand and Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as border battle expands

A Cambodian military personnel stands on a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, around 40 km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Soveit Yarn SURIN, Thailand - Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as border fighting intensified and spread, while Cambodia's leader said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down. At least 20 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbors in 13 years. Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict and on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric. Thailand accused Cambodia of deliberately attacking civilians and Cambodia condemned Thailand for using cluster munitions, controversial and widely condemned. Ceasefire proposal Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said Cambodia had attacked on multiple fronts. "The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it's a confrontation involving heavy weapons," he told reporters. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a social media post that he had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, who had informed him that Phumtham had also agreed. "However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed that they had reversed their position," Hun Manet said. Thailand late on Friday said it agreed in principle with the idea of a ceasefire and would consider it, but that it must be based on "appropriate on-the-ground conditions". "Throughout the day, Cambodian forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks," the Thai foreign ministry said in a post on X. "Cambodia's actions demonstrate a lack of good faith and continue to place civilians in danger." Two senior Thai foreign ministry officials earlier said Bangkok had received offers of mediation from the US, Malaysia and China, but preferred to use bilateral mechanisms. Thailand alleges 'barbaric acts' Fighting re-erupted before dawn on Friday, with clashes reported in 12 locations, up from six on Thursday, according to Thailand's military. It accused Cambodia of using artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rockets to attack areas that included schools and hospitals. "These barbaric acts have senselessly claimed lives and inflicted injuries upon numerous innocent civilians," it said. "The deliberate targeting of civilians is a war crime and those responsible must be brought to justice." It put the blame squarely on the Phnom Penh government, which it said was being steered by Hun Sen, influential former premier of nearly four decades and father of Hun Manet. Reuters journalists in Thailand's Surin province saw a Thai military convoy of about a dozen trucks, armored vehicles and tanks cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields as it moved toward the border. Intermittent bursts of explosions could be heard. Soldiers marshalled traffic on a rural road along which artillery guns were being loaded and fired in succession, emitting orange flashes, loud explosions and grey smoke. The fighting started early on Thursday, quickly escalating from small arms fire to heavy shelling in multiple areas 210 km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century. Thailand on Thursday deployed an F-16 fighter jet to strike a Cambodian military target, underlining its military advantage. Cambodia has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defense hardware and personnel. It has urged the UN Security Council to address what it says is Thailand's "unprovoked military aggression". Preah Vihear temple reportedly damaged It said Thailand's bombardments had caused "significant and visible damage" to the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that both countries have laid claim to for decades. Thailand's military called the allegation "a clear distortion of facts". The trigger for the conflict was Thailand recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelling Cambodia's envoy on Wednesday, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia denied that. Cambodia's government on Friday expressed outrage at Thailand's use of what it said was a large amount of cluster munitions, calling it a violation of international law. Thailand's military said Thailand was not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions but that it followed the principle of proportionality, "to enhance explosive destruction capabilities against military targets only". The death toll in Thailand rose to 19 on Friday, 13 of them civilians, with 62 people wounded. Cambodia's government has not reported any casualties, but a provincial official said one person had been killed. Thailand has prepared nearly 300 facilities for evacuees, more of which poured into shelters in Surin province after hearing shelling. Elderly people dozed while others queued for food to be served by volunteers as children played outside. Some evacuees sifted through donated clothing, others sat talking on floor mats, recounting how they had fled the fighting. "We heard very loud explosions, so we came here. We were so scared," said Aung Ying Yong, 67, wiping away tears with a towel. "So many people are in trouble because of this war ... we are very sad that we have to live like this." —Reuters

Pinoys in Cambodia, Thailand advised to avoid conflict areas
Pinoys in Cambodia, Thailand advised to avoid conflict areas

GMA Network

time21 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Pinoys in Cambodia, Thailand advised to avoid conflict areas

The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia advised Filipinos in areas near the Cambodia-Thailand border to avoid conflict areas amid tensions between the two countries. "Stay away from areas where military operations are reported. Avoid military camps, facilities, and forces," it said in an advisory posted on Facebook on Thursday. The embassy also advised them to monitor the news for the latest updates on the security situation. "Pay close attention to official advisories from national and local agencies, and strictly follow instructions from authorities to ensure your safety," it added. Filipinos were also urged to report their situation and keep the embassy informed of their current location and circumstances. The embassy said Filipinos may contact the Embassy's Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline or email as follows: ATN Hotline: +855 98 888 771 (Call/SMS/Viber/Telegram/WhatsApp) ATN Email: "The safety and well-being of all Filipinos remain our top consideration," it said. Filipinos residing in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear, which are border provinces, were advised to accomplish the Embassy's survey for its coordination efforts, by filling out a Google form. "The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia stands ready to assist affected Filipinos and will continue to closely monitor the border situation. Those in need of immediate assistance or further guidance may contact the Embassy directly," the embassy said. Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia troops have been reported at the border, resulting in the deaths of 20 people and displacement of more than 130,000, according to a Reuters report. READ: EXPLAINER: Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting along their border? The Philippines on Thursday called on Thailand and Cambodia to settle their conflict peacefully under international law as border disputes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors escalate. Thailand has declared martial law in eight of its districts bordering Cambodia on Friday, according to a report by Agence France-Presse. —KG, GMA Integrated News

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store