TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Minister for Political and Security Coordination Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus revealed the condition of Indonesian citizens in the two countries currently involved in the conflict, Thailand and Cambodia. According to the Golkar politician, they are currently in a safe condition.
"So far, it's safe, there are no problems because we keep monitoring. We have a deputy for foreign politics who continues to monitor," said Lodewijk at the Main Building of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Jakarta, July 25, 2025.
Lodewijk disclosed that the conflict between the two ASEAN countries is located in the forest and border areas. Therefore, he said, the area is far from residential areas.
"It's a border in the forest, I said It's in the hinterland, not in the city, it's a border. It's the same as when we look at other countries, their borders are in the forest," said Lodewijk.
Furthermore, he hopes that the conflict between the two ASEAN countries will come to an end. Additionally, he stated that Indonesia will continue to take an active and free approach to politics when addressing issues and ensuring that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' diplomatic processes proceed smoothly.
"Hopefully, we can soon quell this. Thailand and Cambodia are our friends, we should maintain them together. We will continue to make diplomatic strides so that this conflict does not persist," said Lodewijk.
Lodewijk advocates the diplomatic route to resolve the Thailand-Cambodia conflict. He hopes this step can become an option to quell the conflict between the two Southeast Asian countries.
"As a member of the ASEAN community and to maintain security and stability within the ASEAN environment, diplomatically, we will approach both countries through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to communicate. We will invite them to dialogue," said Lodewijk.
The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated after an armed clash occurred at the border of the two countries. Al Jazeera reported that as of Friday afternoon, the death toll from the battle had reached 15 in Thailand, including 14 civilians and one soldier, and one person in Cambodia. At least 45 others were injured.
The Thai government stated that its military responded to the attack from Cambodia based on the tactical situation on the ground. "Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation," said the Thai military in its official statement. Mutual attacks with heavy artillery and rockets are still ongoing.
The Ministry of the Interior in Thailand reported that approximately 100,672 residents from the four border provinces of Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, and Ubon Ratchathani had been evacuated to shelters. More than half of them were from Surin, according to Arsit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of the Interior. Meanwhile, about 20,000 residents in Preah Vihear Province, northern Cambodia, were also evacuated to safe areas.
The conflict peaked after Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to bomb targets in the Cambodian region, while Cambodian forces retaliated with long-range rockets into Thai civilian areas. Both sides blame each other for the onset of the skirmish in the disputed area.
The United States, a longtime ally of Thailand, called for an immediate end to the conflict. Meanwhile, China, a close ally of Cambodia, also expressed deep concern and hoped that the dispute would be resolved through dialogue.
Adinda Jasmine contributed to the writing of this article
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