Thai Public Health Minister Condemns Cambodian Attack on Hospitals, Reports Civilian and Military Casualties

Bangkok, 24 July 2025 – At the Emergency Operations Center for Public Health and Medical Services, Thailand’s Minister of Public Health, Somsak Thepsuthin, delivered an urgent statement condemning Cambodia’s military attacks on hospitals and civilian zones along the Thai-Cambodian border. The minister reported that 35 civilians have been injured and 11 civilians killed, including an 8-year-old child. Additionally, 8 Thai soldiers have been injured and 1 has died.

Minister Somsak stressed that the attacks constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, particularly Article 18, which clearly protects civilian hospitals from any form of military assault. He stated that targeting hospitals and civilians is not only a breach of international norms but also a direct attack on Thailand’s sovereignty and human dignity. He called the death of an innocent child a shameful and unforgivable act.

As of 2:15 PM, confirmed casualties include 2 civilian deaths in Surin Province—one of them a child—along with one person seriously injured and three moderately injured. Three soldiers were seriously injured, one moderately, and one suffered minor injuries. In Ubon Ratchathani, one civilian died and four were seriously injured. In Sisaket Province, eight civilians were killed, including a 15-year-old youth, with three seriously injured, eight moderately injured, and four with minor injuries. One soldier was killed and two others suffered minor injuries. In Buriram Province, one civilian was moderately injured.

The Ministry of Public Health issued a firm call for the Cambodian government to immediately cease its hostile actions, accept responsibility, and compensate for all damages and losses. Minister Somsak emphasized that these acts amount to war crimes and that those who ordered the attacks must be held personally accountable. He reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to protect its people and pursue justice for the victims, urging Cambodia to stop its inhumane aggression and return to principles of peaceful coexistence. Condolences were extended to the families of the victims, and a strong assurance was given that the Thai government will use every means to provide medical support and uphold national dignity.

The ministry has activated Public Health Emergency Operations Centers in all four affected provinces. Patients in high-risk "Hot Zone" hospitals—such as Phanom Dong Rak Hospital and Kap Choeng Hospital in Surin—have been safely transferred to hospitals in secure areas. Medical support has also been extended to temporary evacuation shelters, including provisions for vulnerable groups such as bedridden patients. The ministry has coordinated with other government agencies to supply medicines, medical equipment, and blood reserves to cope with the emergency.

A total of 1,575 medical and public health response teams have been mobilized from Health Service Zones 6, 9, and 10, covering the provinces of Trat, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. These teams include rapid medical response units, mobile mental health support teams, epidemiological surveillance units, environmental health teams, investigation units, and communicable disease control personnel. All are now fully prepared to provide integrated emergency support to the affected areas.

Source:

https://pr.moph.go.th