Fierce fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered a second day on Friday, with both countries exchanging heavy artillery and rocket fire across multiple flashpoints along their disputed border, in what is now the region’s deadliest conflict in over a decade.
At least 16 people have been killed—most of them civilians, and over 130,000 evacuated in Thailand alone as the hostilities intensified. Cambodia has reported one civilian death and five injuries, with at least 1,500 families displaced in Oddar Meanchey province.
Fighting erupted early Thursday after a Thai soldier lost a limb to a landmine Bangkok accuses Cambodia of laying. The incident led to a rapid diplomatic breakdown, including mutual expulsions of ambassadors. The clashes have since escalated from small arms skirmishes to heavy shelling in at least 12 locations, with Thailand deploying artillery and F-16 fighter jets in a rare airstrike on Cambodian military targets.
Thailand accuses Cambodia of launching coordinated assaults on civilian areas using Russian-made BM-21 rockets and artillery, while Cambodia alleges Thailand has deployed cluster munitions, banned under international law by more than 100 countries. Thailand is not a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and has not responded to the allegations.
“This situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war,” said Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who condemned the attacks as “barbaric” and blamed Cambodia’s long-time former leader Hun Sen for orchestrating the aggression.
Cambodia, for its part, described Thailand’s use of military force, including air power, as “reckless and brutal” in a formal appeal to the United Nations Security Council.
In Surin province, Thai military convoys of tanks and artillery were seen heading to the border, where loud explosions and smoke were reported throughout the day. Shelters for evacuees continue to fill up as terrified civilians flee the violence.
“We heard very loud explosions, so we came here. We were so scared,” said Aung Ying Yong, 67, tearfully recounting her escape.
International pressure is mounting for a ceasefire. The United States and ASEAN Chair Malaysia have called for an immediate halt to hostilities. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said both sides had shown “positive signals” and expressed willingness to pursue dialogue.
However, Thailand’s foreign ministry firmly rejected offers of third-party mediation, including those from the U.S., China, and Malaysia. “We stand by our position that bilateral mechanisms are the best way out,” said ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura.
With tensions rising and no ceasefire in sight, fears are growing that the border clashes could spiral into a full-scale war, further destabilizing a region already on edge.
Written By Rodney Mbua
