Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Briefs UNOG Chief on Border Conflict

GENEVA (Nov. 20, 2025) — Cambodia’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva met on Nov.18 with UN Office at Geneva Director-General Tatyana Valovaya to brief her on what he described as ongoing armed conflict along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

Ambassador Dara In said the situation remains fragile, citing continued Thai incursions, coercive actions against civilians, the encirclement of villages and Thailand’s failure to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers despite earlier commitments.

He rejected Thailand’s allegation of a “new landmine incident” on Nov. 10, saying it involved old legacy mines. Cambodia’s record on mine clearance, he said, shows its commitment to a mine-free world, and there is no credible basis to suggest new mine-laying.

“Cambodia has no interest in planting new landmines. It has never done so, nor will it ever do so,” Dara said, adding that the allegation was being used as a pretext to suspend the peace deal and escalate tensions.

The ambassador also cited a Nov. 12 shooting by Thai soldiers that killed one Cambodian civilian and injured three others, and a Nov. 15 assault on a Cambodian migrant worker.

He called the incidents grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law, urging continued UN vigilance and support for a peaceful resolution.