By Shoon Naing and Artorn Pookasook

SISAKET, Thailand (Reuters) -Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border extended into a third day and new flashpoints emerged on Saturday as both sides said they had acted in self-defence in the border dispute and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations.

More than 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years.

There were clashes early on Saturday, both sides said, in the neighbouring Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia’s Pursat Province early, a new front more than 100 km (60 miles) from other conflict points along the long-contested border.

The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand’s fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse.

As of Saturday, Thailand said seven soldiers and 13 civilians had been killed in the clashes, while in Cambodia five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed, said Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.

In the Thai border province of Sisaket, a university compound has been converted into temporary accommodation, where a volunteer said more than 5,000 people were staying.

Samrong Khamduang said she left her farm, about 10 km from the border, when fighting broke out on Thursday. The 51-year-old’s husband stayed behind to look after livestock.

“We got so scared with the sound of artillery,” she said. “But my husband stayed back and now we lost the connection. I couldn’t call him. I don’t know what is happening back there.”

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, said he would continue to push a ceasefire proposal. Cambodia has backed Anwar’s plan, while Thailand has said it agreed with it in principle.

“There is still some exchange of fire,” Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama. He said he had asked his foreign minister “to liaise with the respective foreign ministries and, if possible, I will continue engaging with them myself – at least to halt the fighting”.

SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING

Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July – claims Cambodia has strongly denied – and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning.

“Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith,” Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said Thailand had launched “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack” and was mobilising troops and military equipment on the border.

“These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand’s intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia’s sovereignty,” the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Cambodia called for the international community to “condemn Thailand’s aggression in the strongest terms” and to prevent an expansion of its military activities, while Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally.

Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.

Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths.

Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court’s jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.

(Reporting by Shoon Naing and Artorn Pookasook in Sisaket, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um, Chayut Setboonsarng, Juarawee Kittisilpa and Devjyot Ghoshal in Bangkok and Rozzana Latiff in Kuala Lumpur; Writing by John Mair; Editing by William Mallard)

Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border has extended into a third day and new flashpoints emerged as both sides said they had acted in self-defence in the border dispute and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations.

More than 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years.

There were clashes early, both sides said, in the neighbouring Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia’s Pursat Province, a new front more than 100km from other conflict points along the long-contested border.

Volunteers carry supplies for people evacuated from border areas of Thailand and Cambodia

The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish.

Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand’s fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse.

Thailand said seven soldiers and 13 civilians had been killed in the clashes, while in Cambodia five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed, said Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.

In the Thai border province of Sisaket, a university compound has been converted into temporary accommodation, where a volunteer said more than 5,000 people were staying.

Samrong Khamduang said she left her farm, about 10km from the border, when fighting broke out on Thursday.

The 51-year-old’s husband stayed behind to look after livestock.

“We got so scared with the sound of artillery,” she said. “But my husband stayed back and now we lost the connection. I couldn’t call him. I don’t know what is happening back there.”

Damage to a shop in Thailand caused by Cambodian artillery

US President Donald Trump said he was talking with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to end the conflict.

“Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the war with Thailand,” Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network this afternoon.

“I am calling the acting Prime Minister of Thailand, right now, to likewise request a ceasefire, and end to the war, which is currently raging.”

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, said he would continue to push a ceasefire proposal.

Cambodia has backed Anwar’s plan, while Thailand has said it agreed with it in principle.

“There is still some exchange of fire,” Mr Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama.

He said he had asked his foreign minister “to liaise with the respective foreign ministries and, if possible, I will continue engaging with them myself – at least to halt the fighting”.

Security council meeting

Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting yesterday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July – claims Cambodia has strongly denied – and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning.

“Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith,” Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said Thailand had launched “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack” and was mobilising troops and military equipment on the border.

“These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand’s intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia’s sovereignty,” the ministry said in a statement.

Cambodia called for the international community to “condemn Thailand’s aggression in the strongest terms” and to prevent an expansion of its military activities, while Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally.

Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various points along their 817km land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.

Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths.

In June, Cambodia said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court’s jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.

Thai-Cambodian border clash enters third day

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The Royal Thai Navy is conducting an operation to repel Cambodian troops who have encroached on Thai territory early Saturday. (Photo: Thai Navy Warships Facebook)

TRAT – The Thai-Cambodian border clash has entered its third day, with renewed fighting erupting in Ban Chamrak, Muang district, early on Saturday morning.

According to the Trat Marine Task Force, Cambodian forces encroached on three locations within Thai territory at 5.10am. The Royal Thai Navy responded swiftly and pushed back the Cambodian positions by 5.40am.

After the marine clash, the First Naval Area under the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command deployed four patrol vessels to support Operation Trat Pikhat Phairee 1 in Ko Kut and Ban Hat Lek, Khlong Yai. The forces included fast attack gunboats and patrol boats, capable of providing fire support within a minute if needed.

Residents near Banthat Mountain, bordering Cambodia to the east, reported hearing artillery fire from 5am onwards. A monk from Rai Pa temple in tambon Noen Sai shared on Facebook that he saw firing lights floating above the mountains. “We were running away, but saw Thai soldiers heading toward it,” he said.

On Friday, the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defence Command extended martial law in Trat and Chanthaburi provinces.

Trat governor Natthaphong Sanguanjit said evacuations were ordered for residents near the border Muang district, Bo Rai and Khlong Yai districts.

Residents move into a shelter in Trat on Friday night. (Chakkrit Waewklaihong)

The evacuees, including the elderly, children, bedridden and hospital patients, were moved to 10 designated shelters in safe zones.

Among those relocated from tambon Laem Klat were Cambodian migrant workers, whose mobile phones were confiscated for safety reasons, said mayor Kittipong Yula-or, who oversees one shelter.

An emergency meeting on Friday identified Ban Chamrak as a key area where Cambodian troops were reportedly advancing.

Khlong Yai, 11 kilometres from Cambodia’s Koh Kong, was also noted as a site where forces had established positions.

Thailand has put the death toll on its side at 19, including six soldiers since the fighting erupted on Thursday, with more than 60 people injured. Cambodia has reported 13 deaths.

In Kanthralak district of Si Sa Ket province, on the border near some of the clashes, hotel worker Chianuwat Thalalai said the town had emptied out.

“Nearly everybody’s gone, it’s almost a deserted city,” the 31-year-old told Reuters. “My hotel is still open for some of those nearer to the border area that needs a place to stay.”

Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Cherdchai Chaivaivid, told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July – claims Cambodia has strongly denied – and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning.

“Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith,” Mr Cherdchai told the council in remarks released to media.

Decades of disputes

According to Cambodia’s defence ministry, Thailand had launched “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack” on Thursday, and was now mobilising troops and military equipment on the border.

“These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand’s intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia’s sovereignty,” the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Cambodia called for the international community to “condemn Thailand’s aggression in the strongest terms” and to prevent an expansion of Thailand’s military activities.

Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally, telling the Security Council it was “deeply regrettable that Cambodia has deliberately avoided meaningful dialogue and instead sought to internationalise the issue to serve its own political objectives”.

Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometre (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.

Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage site.

That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths.

Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court’s jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.

Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border has extended into a third day and new flashpoints have emerged.

Both sides are saying they have acted in self-defence and are calling on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations.

At least 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the South-East Asian neighbours in 13 years.

There were clashes early on Saturday, both sides said, in the neighbouring Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia’s Pursat Province, a new front more than 100 kilometres from other conflict points along the long-contested border.

The Thai navy said there were clashes in the coastal province of Trat early on Saturday, a new front more than 100 kilometres from other conflict points along the long-contested border.

Why is there conflict between Thailand and Cambodia? Photo shows People sheltering with their belongings in a concrete bunker. Border tension between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated into an armed clash that has killed more than 10 civilians and left many others fleeing for safety.

Earlier, Thailand’s government said it agrees in principle to a ceasefire deal with Cambodia and will consider the proposal put forward by Malaysia.

The worst fighting between the rival nations in more than a decade has now killed at least 20 people and left dozens of others wounded.

Some 130,000 people have been forced to find safety because of the fighting, which expanded along the disputed border during the second day of clashes on Friday.

Both countries blame the other for starting the conflict, with Thailand warning the skirmishes could turn into all-out war.

“It must be stated that throughout the day, Cambodian forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory,” the Thai foreign ministry said in a post on X.

” Cambodia’s actions demonstrate a lack of good faith and continue to place civilians in danger. ”

Before the post, Cambodia had accused Thailand of agreeing to the ceasefire deal, before backtracking.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet said that decision was “regrettable”.

On Friday evening, a Thai military border commander declared martial law in eight districts on the frontier with Cambodia, citing “Cambodia’s use of force to enter Thai territory”.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, said he would continue to push a ceasefire proposal. Cambodia has backed his plan, while Thailand has said it agrees with it in principle.

“There is still some exchange of fire,” Mr Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama.

He said he had asked his foreign minister “to liaise with the respective foreign ministries and, if possible, I will continue engaging with them myself — at least to halt the fighting”.

Thailand accused of using cluster munitions

Fighting re-erupted before dawn on Friday, with clashes reported in 12 locations, up from six on Thursday, according to Thailand’s military.

It accused Cambodia of using artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rockets to attack areas that included schools and hospitals.

“The deliberate targeting of civilians is a war crime and those responsible must be brought to justice,” it said.

Cambodia has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel. It has urged the UN Security Council to address what it says is Thailand’s “unprovoked military aggression”.

Fighting has continued for a second-straight day along the border between Cambodia and Thailand. (Reuters: Soveit Yarn)

It said Thailand’s bombardments had caused “significant and visible damage” to the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that both countries have laid claim to for decades.

Thailand’s military called the allegation “a clear distortion of facts”.

Cambodia’s government expressed outrage at what it said was the use of cluster munitions, calling it a clear violation of international law.

Thailand’s military said the country was not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but that it followed the principle of proportionality “to enhance explosive destruction capabilities against military targets only”.

Locals flee from both sides of the border

People living near the conflict zones on both sides of the border have been forced to flee.

Nut Sokkheng, 62, said she and her grandson were injured in fighting that broke out about 4km from Ta Moan, one of the disputed temples along the border.

“I have suffered injuries on my left leg and my grandson broke his right leg. Please help him. He is young and still studies,” she said.

” I want to see a peaceful country, not war like that. ”

Nhib Saran, 62, said he was leaving home for an evacuation area after fighting came close to his home in Samrong district, Uddar Meanchey province.

Nhib Saran was scared by the fighting which broke out close to his home. (ABC News)

“I want to leave home, go far from the gunshots from Thailand because I am afraid … in this war, there have been big air strikes. I am afraid of staying home, so I take my children out of the firing area,” he said.

Thai farmer Jeenjana Phapan fled her village with her three-year-old son after shells landed in the rice field behind their house.

She left her husband behind to care for their cows and protect their home.

“I hope my husband can hide if more shells come,” she said.

People wait to give blood following the Thai Red Cross’s call for donations. (Reuters: Chalinee Thirasupa)

Conflict a ‘dire challenge’ for ASEAN bloc

South-East Asia expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank Andreyka Natalegawa told the ABC neither country could afford a full-blown war.

He said it was important to quickly get an independent fact-finder, or neutral observer, to get to the bottom of what sparked the latest round of violence “in a bid to bring these events to a more calm state”.

Why is there conflict between Thailand and Cambodia? Photo shows People sheltering with their belongings in a concrete bunker. Months of tension along the border has errupted into armed conflict, leaving scores dead and injured.

There has never been a war between two member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, but he said this conflict presented a challenge to the institution.

“There’s a real impetus for parties like Malaysia, as well as other ASEAN member states, including Indonesia and Philippines, Singapore, to take a more firm stance and to actively engage with their counterparts on both sides in pursuit of seeking a resolution,” Mr Natalegawa said.

“This current crisis and the prospect of current skirmishes emerging into something greater poses a real dire challenge to the institution.”

Thailand had not shown interest in third-party mediation, despite saying it would consider Malaysia’s peace proposal.

Mr Natalegawa said that was in line with the country’s previous desire to achieve a bilateral solution to tension.

He said the ceasefire proposal was an important step by the ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“The question will just be whether there’s any appetite on both sides to engage in this sort of mediation,” he said.

ABC/wires

By Shoon Naing and Artorn Pookasook, Reuters

Photo: AFP

Cambodia PM says Thailand agreed to ceasefire, then backed out

Thailand says it agrees in principle with truce, will consider based on conditions

US, Malaysia, China have offered to mediate, Thailand says

Cambodia accuses Thailand of damaging 11th-century temple

Cambodia attacking civilian areas with rockets, shelling, Thailand says

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day as border fighting intensified and spread, while Cambodia’s leader said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down.

At least 20 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict and ratcheted up the rhetoric overnight. Thailand accused Cambodia of deliberately attacking civilians and Cambodia condemned Thailand for using cluster munitions, controversial and widely condemned.

Ceasefire proposal

Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said Cambodia had attacked on multiple fronts.

“The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it’s a confrontation involving heavy weapons,” he told reporters.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a social media post that he had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, who had informed him that Phumtham had also agreed.

“However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed that they had reversed their position,” Hun Manet said.

Thailand late on Friday (local time) said it agreed in principle with the idea of a ceasefire and would consider it, but that it must be based on “appropriate on-the-ground conditions”.

“Throughout the day, Cambodian forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks,” the Thai foreign ministry said in a post on X. “Cambodia’s actions demonstrate a lack of good faith and continue to place civilians in danger.”

Two senior Thai foreign ministry officials earlier said Bangkok had received offers of mediation from the US, Malaysia and China, but preferred to use bilateral mechanisms.

Photo: LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Thailand alleges ‘barbaric acts’

Fighting re-erupted before dawn on Friday (local time), with clashes reported in 12 locations, up from six on Thursday, according to Thailand’s military. It accused Cambodia of using artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rockets to attack areas that included schools and hospitals.

“These barbaric acts have senselessly claimed lives and inflicted injuries upon numerous innocent civilians,” it said.

“The deliberate targeting of civilians is a war crime and those responsible must be brought to justice.”

It put the blame squarely on the Phnom Penh government, which it said was being steered by Hun Sen, influential former premier of nearly four decades and father of Hun Manet.

Reuters journalists in Thailand’s Surin province saw a Thai military convoy of about a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields as it moved toward the border. Intermittent bursts of explosions could be heard.

Soldiers marshalled traffic on a rural road along which artillery guns were being loaded and fired in succession, emitting orange flashes, loud explosions and grey smoke. The fighting started early on Thursday, quickly escalating from small arms fire to heavy shelling in multiple areas 210 km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.

Thailand on Thursday deployed an F-16 fighter jet to strike a Cambodian military target, underlining its military advantage. Cambodia has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel. It has urged the UN Security Council to address what it says is Thailand’s “unprovoked military aggression”.

Preah Vihear temple reportedly damaged

It said Thailand’s bombardments had caused “significant and visible damage” to the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that both countries have laid claim to for decades.

Thailand’s military called the allegation “a clear distortion of facts”. The trigger for the conflict was Thailand recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelling Cambodia’s envoy on Wednesday, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia denied that.

Cambodia’s government overnight expressed outrage at Thailand’s use of what it said was a large amount of cluster munitions, calling it a violation of international law.

Thailand’s military said Thailand was not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions but that it followed the principle of proportionality, “to enhance explosive destruction capabilities against military targets only”.

The death toll in Thailand rose to 19 on Friday, 13 of them civilians, with 62 people wounded. Cambodia’s government has not reported any casualties, but a provincial official said one person had been killed. Thailand has prepared nearly 300 facilities for evacuees, more of which poured into shelters in Surin province after hearing shelling.

Elderly people dozed while others queued for food to be served by volunteers as children played outside. Some evacuees sifted through donated clothing, others sat talking on floor mats, recounting how they had fled the fighting.

“We heard very loud explosions, so we came here. We were so scared,” said Aung Ying Yong, 67, wiping away tears with a towel.

“So many people are in trouble because of this war … we are very sad that we have to live like this.”

– Reuters