This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/25/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-thai-evacuation-clashes-conflict

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Thailand-Cambodia border dispute: 100,000 Thai civilians evacuated amid second day of clashes Thailand-Cambodia border dispute: 100,000 Thai civilians evacuated amid second day of clashes
(32 minutes later)
Thai interior ministry says people from four border provinces moved to shelters as authorities say death toll from conflict has risen to 14 Thai interior ministry says people from four border provinces moved to shelters as authorities say death toll from conflict has risen to 16
Thailand evacuated more than 100,000 people along the Cambodian border, it said on Friday, as the two countries fought for a second day in the bloodiest military clashes between the neighbours in over a decade.Thailand evacuated more than 100,000 people along the Cambodian border, it said on Friday, as the two countries fought for a second day in the bloodiest military clashes between the neighbours in over a decade.
The interior ministry said 100,672 people from four border provinces had been moved to shelters, while the health ministry announced the death toll had risen to 14. The interior ministry said 100,672 people from four border provinces had been moved to shelters, while the health ministry announced the death toll had risen to 15, of which 14 were civilians.
Thailand scrambled an F-16 fighter jet to bomb targets in Cambodia on Thursday after artillery volleys from both sides killed at least 11 civilians. Cambodia’s national government has not provided details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians but a local official in Oddar Meanchey province told Reuters one civilian had been killed and five were wounded, with 1,500 families evacuated.
Both blamed each other for starting a morning clash at a disputed area of the border, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century. Thailand’s military reported clashes from before dawn on Friday in the Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces and said Cambodia had used artillery and Russian-made rocket systems.
On Friday morning, the Thai army said in a statement that clashes started at 4am in the border areas of Chong Bok and Phu Makhuea in Ubon Ratchathani Province, as well as in Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province. It said Cambodian forces were using heavy weapons including artillery and rockets and that Thai forces were responding. “Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems,” the Thai military said in a statement.
“Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.”
Both blamed each other for starting the clash on Thursday at a disputed area of the border, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.
The worst fighting between the countries in 13 years came after Thailand on Wednesday recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s envoy in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops, an accusation Cambodia called baseless.The worst fighting between the countries in 13 years came after Thailand on Wednesday recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s envoy in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops, an accusation Cambodia called baseless.
Thailand said there were 14 fatalities, including an eight-year-old boy. Authorities said 31 people were hurt on Thursday. Thailand said the fatalities included an eight-year-old boy. Authorities said 31 people were hurt on Thursday.
“We condemn this – using heavy weapons without a clear target, outside of conflict zones … the use of force and did not adhere to international law,” Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, told reporters.“We condemn this – using heavy weapons without a clear target, outside of conflict zones … the use of force and did not adhere to international law,” Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, told reporters.
“We remain committed to peaceful means and there should be discussions, but what happened was a provocation and we had to defend ourselves.”“We remain committed to peaceful means and there should be discussions, but what happened was a provocation and we had to defend ourselves.”
Thailand’s health minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, said a hospital was hit by shelling in Surin province, an attack he said should be considered “a war crime”.Thailand’s health minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, said a hospital was hit by shelling in Surin province, an attack he said should be considered “a war crime”.
On Friday, a Cambodian provincial official said at least one Cambodian civilian was killed and five others injured during border clashes. Around 1,500 Cambodian families from Banteay Ampil district in the Oddar Meanchey province near the conflict zone have been evacuated to safety, Meth Meas Pheakdey, a spokesperson for the provincial administration, said on Facebook.
The UN security council was due to meet on Friday over the conflict. The US, a longtime treaty ally of Thailand, called for an immediate end to hostilities.The UN security council was due to meet on Friday over the conflict. The US, a longtime treaty ally of Thailand, called for an immediate end to hostilities.
“We are … gravely concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border and deeply saddened by reports of harm to civilians,” the state department’s deputy spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, told a regular news briefing.“We are … gravely concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border and deeply saddened by reports of harm to civilians,” the state department’s deputy spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, told a regular news briefing.
“The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”“The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
Britain’s foreign ministry on Thursday advised against all but essential travel to parts of Cambodia and Thailand.Britain’s foreign ministry on Thursday advised against all but essential travel to parts of Cambodia and Thailand.
With Agence France-Presse and ReutersWith Agence France-Presse and Reuters