Czech Republic Voices Sympathy for Cambodia, Urges Ceasefire as Border Fighting Displaces Thousands

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 17, 2025) — The Czech Republic has expressed sympathy for Cambodian civilians caught in the escalating border conflict with Thailand and urged all sides to uphold the ceasefire and international law.

During a courtesy call Tuesday, Czech Ambassador Markéta Kolc Hájková met with National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary and conveyed concern for displaced families and children whose schooling has been disrupted. She voiced hope that the ceasefire facilitated by the United States and ASEAN would hold.

Samdech Sudary said the situation had escalated into serious military aggression involving heavy weapons, displacing nearly half a million civilians, forcing the closure of more than 1,000 schools and damaging infrastructure and ancient temples. She stressed that Cambodia is a peace loving nation with no intention to wage war, but warned that continued incursions deep into Cambodian territory violate the UN Charter and international humanitarian and human rights law.

Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said Tuesday that since fighting reignited Dec. 7, 15 civilians have been killed and 75 injured. More than 423,000 people — including 218,000 women and 130,000 children — have fled across seven provinces. At least 48 houses, a school, a health center, an ancient temple, four pagodas and multiple public facilities have been damaged or destroyed.

The two sides also reaffirmed nearly 70 years of diplomatic ties. Ambassador Hájková reiterated Prague’s support for Cambodia in health, education and development, and expressed readiness to expand cooperation in business and people to people exchanges.