As deadly clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border entered the third day, Monsignor Olivier Schmitthaeusler, apostolic vicar of Phnom Penh, issued an urgent appeal for peace
Newsroom (28/07/2025, Gaudium Press ) As deadly clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border entered their third day, Monsignor Olivier Schmitthaeusler, apostolic vicar of Phnom Penh, issued an urgent appeal for peace on behalf of Cambodia’s small Catholic community. The ongoing conflict, rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute over the Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom temples, has claimed at least 32 lives, displaced approximately 200,000 people, and spilled over into neighboring Laos with errant missile strikes.
In a heartfelt message, Msgr. Schmitthaeusler, a missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP), called on all parishes to dedicate Masses to prayers for peace and reconciliation. “We pray for the dead and wounded, for those forced to flee their homes under the shadow of bombings,” he said. “Prayer is our only weapon and our only shield.” He urged political leaders and the international community to prioritize dialogue to resolve the conflict, emphasizing adherence to international law, including the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter, which prohibit the use of force against a state’s territorial integrity.
The violence erupted on May 28 near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Thailand’s Surin province, where two Cambodian soldiers were killed. Tensions escalated this morning when Thailand reported Cambodian troops crossing into its territory, accompanied by drone overflights and heavy artillery fire targeting a Thai military base and the temple ruins. Thai sources claim Cambodian artillery struck Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, wounding several civilians. In retaliation, Thai F-16 jets bombed two Cambodian military posts, raising the Thai death toll to at least 12, including a child and other minors, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Health. Cambodia reported 13 deaths, though official figures remain unconfirmed.
Both nations have traded accusations of territorial incursions and initiating hostilities. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet claimed Thai forces attacked positions near the Preah Vihear and Ta Krabei temples, sites of historical and religious significance that have fueled past conflicts. Thailand, meanwhile, alleges Cambodian aggression prompted its response. The situation was further complicated by reports of missiles landing in Laos, with both sides blaming each other for the cross-border strikes.
Msgr. Schmitthaeusler condemned alleged violations by the Thai military in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to peaceful resolution. Quoting Matthew 5:9, he declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” urging leaders to seek a “friendly, sustainable, and just” solution. He also invoked God’s blessing on the thousands displaced, praying for their safety and resilience.
The conflict has deepened diplomatic strains. Thailand expelled Cambodian diplomats and recalled its personnel from Phnom Penh after a mine explosion injured five Thai soldiers, an incident Bangkok attributes to Cambodia. Cambodia’s proposal to involve the International Court of Justice was rejected by Thailand, which instead called for UN enforcement of the anti-personnel landmine ban, a move Phnom Penh deemed provocative.
The crisis unfolds amid domestic challenges. In Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces an investigation following a leaked recording of her criticizing the military to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Manet’s nationalist rhetoric has been cited as a factor intensifying the conflict. Cambodia’s announcement of mandatory military service starting next year and Thailand’s consideration of reversing military force reductions signal potential for further escalation.
China, a key ally to both nations, has offered to mediate, calling for an immediate end to hostilities. As the region watches with growing concern, the human toll mounts, with displaced families seeking refuge and communities bracing for further violence.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCAN News
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