Thailand-Cambodia border clashes displace thousands before ceasefire

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Thailand-Cambodia border clashes displace thousands before ceasefire

2025-12-13 15:26 Last Updated At：12-14 12:54

Tens of thousands of residents fled their homes in communities along the Thai-Cambodian border as intense clashes turned vibrant towns into deserted areas, before a ceasefire was later announced through diplomatic channels.

Nam Yuen is one of the dozens of communities near the Thai-Cambodian border once bustling with life. Because of the armed clashes, these communities were virtually transformed into so-called "ghost towns" marked by empty streets, abandoned homes and shuttered businesses.

Tens of thousands were displaced from areas near the fighting zones, with some only able to return briefly under dangerous conditions to tend to animals or check on property.

During the clashes, a local farmer expressed the distress shared by many residents.

"I want it to stop. I really want it to stop and now the loud noises have started again," said Jakkrin Sriwongsa.

Local authorities focused on balancing evacuation efforts with property protection.

"I'm looking after our people who are still in the area — for example, the leaders of each village and also the volunteer security groups who haven't evacuated. They must stay behind to protect peoples' property," said Kamonrat Patthasai, a provincial official.

While businesses sustained severe financial losses, safety remained the absolute priority throughout the crisis. Reports indicate that saving lives, rather than economic considerations, guided the emergency response.

Amid the turmoil, diplomatic efforts led to a ceasefire announcement. Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul and Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet held separate phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. Following these discussions, Trump said via social media that both sides had agreed to implement a ceasefire beginning that evening.

Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Thursday that the latest border clashes with Cambodia have left nine Thai soldiers dead, more than 120 people injured, and nearly 200,000 Thai civilians displaced.

As of Friday afternoon local time, the number of Cambodian evacuees from the border fighting has risen to more than 300,000, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release.

Chinese ballet "A Dream of the Red Mansion" debuts in Singapore

Ballet "A Dream of the Red Mansion", an original production by the National Ballet of China, took the stage in Singapore this week, bringing one of China's most famous literary works to Singaporean audiences.

Performed at the Esplanade from Thursday to Sunday, the show was supported by the Chinese Embassy in Singapore and organized by the China Enterprises Association (Singapore). It follows a tour in Bangkok, Thailand, marking the troupe's second overseas stop.

The ballet tells the story of Jia Baoyu through the language of choreography, delving into his innermost emotions and weaving together iconic scenes from the classic novel by Chinese writer Cao Xueqin to depict the grandeur and decline of the Grand View Garden.

Chinese Ambassador Cao Zhongming said the ballet interprets classic literature from the contemporary perspective, and blends classical ballet vocabulary with Chinese choreographic aesthetics, showing that the Chinese culture is both historical and contemporary, belonging to the Chinese nation and to the whole world as well.