AKP Phnom Penh, December 19, 2025 --

Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom H.E. Ms. Seema Malhotra offered condolences for the loss of lives and expressed the UK’s concern over civilian harm in the armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand. 

Her concern was raised when she and Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, held a telephone conversation yesterday. 

H.E. Ms. Seema Malhotra underscored the importance of ending the fight, and reaffirmed the UK’s support for a peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels, its keen interest to play a stabilising role alongside ASEAN and partners, and the importance of continued engagement within the ASEAN framework.

For his part, H.E. Prak Sokhonn took the opportunity to thank the UK for their continuing support for the peace process, particularly the  July 28 2025 Ceasefire Agreement and the Oct. 26, 2025 Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration. 

H.E. Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to its full implementation, and highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation affecting nearly half a million displaced Cambodians.

On the border dispute, H.E. Ms. Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence reported Thai continued bombardment of Cambodia. 

Speaking at a press briefing this afternoon, she said most of Thai 
military targets are civil infrastructure such as homes, schools, pagodas, warehouses, roads and bridges.

By Heng Panha