**Massachusetts Officials Call for De-escalation Amid Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict**
Officials from Massachusetts are urging for de-escalation and dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand as the ongoing border conflict between the two Southeast Asian nations intensifies, putting civilian lives at risk.
U.S. Representative Lori Trahan, along with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, issued a joint statement on Friday afternoon expressing deep concern over the recent escalation. This marks the second flare-up of violence along the Cambodia-Thailand border in 2023.
> “We are deeply concerned by the escalation of violence along the Cambodia-Thailand border, which has resulted in the needless loss of life, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, and a rapidly growing humanitarian crisis,” the statement read.
The officials called on all parties to exercise restraint, especially during Thailand’s moment of political transition, urging them to avoid further inflaming tensions or using the conflict for political gain.
> “The protection of civilian life must be paramount,” the statement emphasized.
They further urged both governments to immediately de-escalate the situation, support diplomatic efforts, and engage with international and regional partners, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to secure lasting peace and strengthen regional security.
The United States was called upon to support peaceful resolution efforts through dialogue and existing diplomatic channels. The statement highlighted the importance of prioritizing stability, humanitarian protection, and a negotiated path forward to safeguard the lives of both Cambodian and Thai people.
### Lowell’s Cambodian-American Community Responds
Massachusetts, specifically the Greater Lowell area within the 3rd Congressional District represented by Rep. Lori Trahan, is home to many Cambodian families who escaped the Khmer Rouge regime and Cambodian genocide in the 1970s and 1980s.
In response to the conflict, a **Peace for Cambodia rally** is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Lowell City Hall. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, flyers, flags, and banners to support an end to the escalating violence.
State Representative Tara Hong, who represents the 18th Middlesex District — the second-largest Cambodian population in the U.S. — urged the community to unite.
> “I urge everyone to come together and demand that the Thai government end this conflict immediately and respect international law. There must be no further attempts to invade Cambodian land,” Hong stated on Friday.
Following the rally, a **candlelight vigil for peace** will be held on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sampao Meas Function Hall, located at 450 Chelmsford St. in Lowell. Co-organized by City Councilor Sokhary Chau, the vigil will be led by local Buddhist temples and venerable monks.
According to the event’s announcement, the vigil calls for “solidarity, unity, and justice,” urging an end to the conflict and a commitment to protecting innocent lives in Cambodia.
> “We invite all Cambodian-Americans, friends, and allies to join in a collective voice appealing to federal and international officials,” said Councilor Chau. “Our objectives are to stop the war, cease aggression against Cambodia, and uphold peace and justice for its people. This demonstration of unity aims to highlight the urgent need for global attention and action to ensure the safety and well-being of all Cambodians.”
### Recent Escalations and Ongoing Conflict
The most recent clashes mark the second wave of violence this year between Cambodia and Thailand.
In May, a Cambodian soldier was shot and killed by Thai troops in a contested border zone, igniting weeks of tension between the two countries. On July 23, a landmine explosion in a disputed area injured five Thai soldiers, triggering five days of fighting. This round ended with a ceasefire brokered by Malaysia, supported by pressure from then-President Donald Trump.
The ceasefire held until December 7, when new skirmishes wounded two Thai soldiers. President Trump claimed last week to have brokered another ceasefire; however, leaders from both Thailand and Cambodia have disputed this claim, and fighting continues as of Friday.
As of Thursday, the Thai military reported 21 soldier deaths during the latest round of fighting. Cambodia has yet to disclose its military casualty figures. Thailand claims to have killed over 200 Cambodian soldiers, but this figure remains unverified.
Both rounds of fighting have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians on either side of the border, creating a growing humanitarian crisis.
*This report includes material from the Associated Press.*
https://www.lowellsun.com/2025/12/19/end-this-conflict-immediately-officials-call-for-de-escalation-in-fighting-between-cambodia-and-thailand/