UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting over Thai-Cambodia border clashes

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be holding an emergency session on the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia at 3pm (New York Time) on Jul. 25.

According to Thai Enquirer, all 15 members of the UNSC will be present at the emergency meeting, along with permanent representatives from Thailand and Cambodia, who will provide briefings and statements.

Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, will be representing Thailand during the meeting.

Deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged both countries to exercise restraint and resolve the border dispute peacefully through dialogue, The Guardian reported.

Both Thailand and Cambodia sent letters to the UN

Bangkok Post reported that the UNSC meeting was called at the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who wrote in to the current UN Security Council president Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

Manet stated that the "extremely grave aggressions by Thailand" have "threatened peace and stability in the region" and requested for the UNSC to convene to "stop Thailand's aggression".

On the other hand, Thailand's Permanent Mission to the UN also sent three official letters, Thai Enquirer reported.

The first letter clarified and rejected the allegations made by the Cambodian Prime Minister, while the second letter was addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres regarding Cambodia's violation of the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personal landmines.

Thailand asserted that Cambodia's alleged unprovoked attacks breach Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and undermine the principles of peaceful coexistence.

It stated that Thailand is exercising its right to self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter, adding that its responses remain limited and proportionate, and are aimed solely at addressing immediate threats.

Top photos via United Nations/Facebook, Canva