Thailand says at least 12 people have been killed, most of them civilians, as tensions with Cambodia erupted into exchanges of fire along the two countries' contested border.
The Thai army said one of its F-16 fighter jets had bombed and destroyed Cambodian military targets hours after the first shots rang out this morning near the ancient Ta Moan Thom temple, where both nations claim the other fired first.
Thai authorities have evacuated approximately 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border and said cross-border shelling from Cambodia struck residential areas, a hospital and a fuel station.
At least 14 people, including a five-year-old boy, were injured in three border provinces of Thailand. Cambodia has yet to give information on casualties or injuries.
Cambodia's defence ministry said Thai jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia".
The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok.
Thailand said it was closing all border points with Cambodia.
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Key Points
- Death toll climbs to 12 after one military personnel dead
- Thailand deploys F-16s along the disputed border
- Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire along disputed border
- Cambodia accuses Thailand of 'reckless and brutal' military aggression
Thailand's PM was suspended last month after May clashes
09:30
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Shweta Sharma
Thailand’s prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended in July following a ruling by the Constitutional Court over allegations she violated ministerial ethics in connection with a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
The petition accused her of undermining Thailand’s military and national interest by describing a Thai Army commander as her “opponent” and referring to Mr Hun Sen in familial terms – calling him “uncle” – during a private conversation that was later leaked
The leaked conversation, reportedly intended to de-escalate tensions following a deadly cross-border clash on 28 May that left one Cambodian soldier dead, has sparked a political storm.
Death toll climbs to 12 after one military personnel dead
09:08
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Shweta Sharma
Thailand’s health minister has said a total of 12 people have been killed in the clashes.
At least 11 Thai civilians and one soldier have been killed in the latest outbreak of border hostilities with Cambodia, Somsak Thepsuthin said.
He said Cambodia's actions, including an attack on a hospital, should be considered war crimes.
Cambodia calls on UN to convene urgent meeting
09:02
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Shweta Sharma
Cambodia has requested the United Nations Security Council to convene an "urgent meeting" to stop Thailand’s hostilities.
"Considering the recent extremely grave aggressions by Thailand, which have gravely threatened peace and stability in the region, I earnestly request you to convene an urgent meeting of the Security Council to stop Thailand's aggression," prime minister Hun Manet wrote to he council's president, in a letter dated Thursday.
China says it is 'deeply concerned' over Thailand-Cambodia clash
08:58
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Shweta Sharma
China's foreign ministry on Thursday said it is deeply concerned about ongoing developments along the Thailand-Cambodia border and hopes that both sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultations.
China will play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular press conference, adding that China upholds a just and impartial stance.
Thailand considers wall at border with Cambodia
08:52
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Shweta Sharma
Thailand earlier said it was considering constructing a wall along a section of its border with Cambodia to combat illegal crossings.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub on Monday confirmed the proposal is under review, stating, "If it is done, how will it be done? What results and how will it solve problems? This is a study." The spokesperson did not specify the proposed length of the wall.
This comes amid a growing international campaign to dismantle a vast network of illicit scam operations in Southeast Asia.
These scam centres, often located along Thailand's borders with Myanmar and Cambodia, are responsible for widespread financial fraud. The United Nations has reported that criminal gangs have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people into these operations in recent years.
Over the weekend, Cambodian authorities handed over 119 Thai nationals to Thai police following a raid on a scam compound in Poipet. The raid freed more than 215 people.
In photos: Cambodian soldiers ready BM-21 launcher at attack
08:46
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Shweta Sharma
New pictures have emerged of Cambodian soldiers reloading the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province after a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbours.
The Royal Thai Army earlier in the day said two BM-21 rockets were fired into a civilian area in Kab Choeng district this morning, injuring three people.
At least nine civilians killed in Thailand, military says
08:35
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Shweta Sharma
Thailand’s military has said that at least nine civilians have been killed as tensions with Cambodia erupted into exchanges of fire along the two countries' contested border.
The Thai Army said the most casualties occurred in Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after shots were fired at a fuel station.
At least 14 people were injured in three border provinces.
Clashes are ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Thai defence ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said.
The Thai army said it launched air strikes with its F-16 fighter jets on Thursday on ground military targets in Cambodia, while the Cambodian Defence Ministry said the Thai jets dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
Why Cambodia and Thailand are fighting over their border and what happens next
07:50
,
Shweta Sharma
Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire across several disputed border zones on Thursday, killing at least one person, injuring three and prompting a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties between the Southeast Asian neighbours.
The clashes began early Thursday morning near the ancient Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, located along the border between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attack.
Further skirmishes were reported near the Prasat Ta Krabey site and along the border separating Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani.
A livestream from Thailand showed civilians fleeing explosions and seeking shelter in concrete bunkers as gunfire continued in the area.
Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet claimed Thailand had targeted Cambodian military positions at multiple places.
UK warns citizens near Thai-Cambodia border
07:49
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Shweta Sharma
The UK has urged British nationals to "take extra care" near the border areas between Thailand and Cambodia, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said.
The FCDO also urged people to "follow the instructions of local authorities" when travelling around these areas.
Thousands evacuated from Thai villages near border
07:38
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Shweta Sharma
Thai authorities have evacuated approximately 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border with Cambodia, following intense cross-border shelling that killed at least one person on Thursday.
The evacuations were ordered after artillery fire from Cambodian forces reportedly struck residential areas in Thailand’s Surin province.
One district official said the shells “fell on people’s homes”, forcing local authorities to move families, including children and the elderly to safer locations.
Concrete shelters, reinforced with sandbags and tyres, were used to shield civilians from ongoing gunfire and explosions.
“How many rounds have been fired? It’s countless,” one woman told Thai Public Broadcasting as she took cover in a bunker.
Thailand says Cambodia targeted hospital in attacks
07:23
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Shweta Sharma
Cambodia's military has launched attacks targeting civilian areas in Thailand, including a hospital, causing fatalities, Thailand's foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Thailand "is prepared to intensify our self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty in accordance with international law and principles," the ministry said in a statement.
It urged its neighbour to cease actions it said were severe violations of international law.
Thai army calls Cambodian rocket strike on civilians 'inhumane'
07:13
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Shweta Sharma
The Royal Thai Army has condemned what it called the “violent and inhumane” actions of Cambodian forces.
It said two BM-21 rockets were fired into a civilian area in Kab Choeng district this morning, injuring three people.
“The Royal Thai Army condemns the violent and inhumane actions of Cambodian forces in the case of using two BM-21 rocket weapons fired into a community area within the Border Area Development Centre, Kab Choeng District, Surin Province, at 09.40am today,” it said in a statement on Thursday.
Thai authorities said residents have since been evacuated and military units are on high alert, monitoring the situation and preparing contingency plans.
Thailand says at least 1 civilian killed
06:58
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Shweta Sharma
At least one civilian has been killed and three others, including a child, have been injured in Thailand, its army said.
The Thai Army said it has launched airstrikes on ground targets in Cambodia.
The Cambodian Defence Ministry said Thailand's Army used jets to drop bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for the Thai defence ministry, said three other civilians, including a 5-year-old boy, were seriously injured after Cambodia fired shots into a residential area in Thailand's Surin province.
Clashes are ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Mr Surasant said.The first clash this morning happened in an area near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple along the border of Surin and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province.
A livestream video from Thailand's side showed people running from their homes and hiding in a concrete bunker Thursday morning as explosions sounded.
In photos: Thailand and Cambodia trade fire at border
06:41
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Shweta Sharma
Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire along disputed border as diplomatic crisis deepens
06:31
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Shweta Sharma
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire along their disputed border on Thursday as a volatile territorial dispute spiralled into a full-blown diplomatic crisis.
The clash came just a day after a landmine blast maimed five Thai soldiers, with Bangkok blaming the neighbouring country for laying new Russian-made explosives in violation of a key international treaty.
The exchange of fire occurred at 8.20am local time near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an ancient Khmer-Hindu temple close to the heavily patrolled border, the Thai army said, accusing the rival military of using rocket launchers and several other weapons systems.
Read our full report.
Thailand closing all border points with Cambodia
06:29
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Shweta Sharma
Thailand has said it is closing all border points with Cambodia after the breakout of a military clash between the two countries.
Thailand's military officials have made the announcement in a press conference.
Cambodia accuses Thailand of 'reckless and brutal' military aggression
06:26
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Shweta Sharma
Cambodia’s defence ministry has condemned Thailand for its “reckless and brutal” military aggression, after Bangkok fire from its F-16 fighter jet.
Cambodia "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia," it said in a statement, adding Thai fighter jets had been deployed and had dropped two bombs on a road.
Thailand deploys F-16s along the disputed border
06:13
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Shweta Sharma
Thailand has said it has “opened fire” with its F-16 jet and destroyed Cambodian military targets.
"F-16 has opened fire!" the Thai army has posted on social media.
It said Cambodia's Special Military Region Commands 8 and 9 have been hit in the attack from single F-16 so far.
It announced that it has deployed its six F-16 fighter jets along the border.
