AKP Phnom Penh, December 18, 2025 --

Tens of thousands of Cambodians gathered in Phnom Penh today to call for peace following Thailand’s renewed military aggression against Cambodia on Dec. 7.

Their collective voices resonated this afternoon during the “March for Peace: Together for Peace” event, organised by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC).

The march proceeded from the Night Market area to the Samdech Chuon Nath roundabout and concluded at the park near the Independence Monument. It aimed not only to demonstrate the Kingdom of Cambodia’s commitment to peace, but also to urge respect for the ceasefire and the peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.

Leading the march, H.E. Hun Many, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Civil Service, and President of the UYFC, said the event sent a strong message of Khmer family spirit to the international community.

“We are all witnessing the consequences of war. This is the second border clash in the seven-month conflict, and the Cambodian people are fully aware of the dangers of war,” he said.

He noted that 18 innocent civilians have been killed and 79 others injured, while approximately 470,000 people have been forced to flee their homes to safer areas. More than 1,000 schools have been closed, and significant infrastructure has been damaged, adding that Thailand has suffered similar devastation.

Over the past seven months, both Cambodian and Thai people have endured fear, tragedy, loss, and destruction. This march, he said, demonstrates to the world that Cambodia does not want conflict, but seeks peace and reconciliation.

By Heng Panha