Eleven Thai civilians and a soldier have been killed in clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, officers have stated, as long-standing tensions in disputed border areas boiled over into open battle.
Amongst these killed was an eight-year-old boy, the military stated in a press release.
It stated most casualties occurred in Si Sa Ket province, the place six folks had been killed after photographs had been fired at a gas station.
One other 14 folks have been injured in three Thai border provinces.
Thailand’s well being minister Somsak Thepsuthin confirmed the fatalities to reporters, including Cambodia’s actions, together with an assault on a hospital, needs to be thought of struggle crimes.
Each nations accuse each other of beginning the navy clashes and have downgraded their diplomatic relations within the quickly escalating dispute. Thailand has additionally sealed all land border crossings with Cambodia.
Early on Thursday, a Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia, in response to Thailand’s military.
“We have used air power against military targets as planned,” Thai military deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon stated.
Cambodia’s defence ministry stated Thai jets had dropped bombs on a highway close to the traditional Preah Vihear temple, saying it “strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia”.
Picture:
Thai individuals who fled clashes take shelter in Surin province. Pic: AP
Clashes are ongoing in at the very least six areas alongside the border, the Thai defence ministry stated.
Thailand’s international ministry stated Cambodian troops fired “heavy artillery” on a Thai navy base on Thursday morning and in addition focused civilian areas, together with a hospital.
“The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand’s sovereignty,” the ministry stated in a press release.
A livestream video from Thailand’s aspect confirmed folks, together with kids and the aged, operating from their properties and hiding in a concrete bunker as explosions sounded.
The conflict occurred in an space the place the traditional Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple stands alongside the border between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province.
Picture:
Thai individuals who fled clashes in Surin province, northeastern Thailand. Pic: AP
Thailand’s performing premier stated preventing should first cease earlier than peace talks can begin.
Caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai instructed reporters there had been no declaration of struggle and battle was not spreading into extra provinces.
He stated Cambodia had fired heavy weapons into Thailand with none particular targets, leading to civilian deaths.
Earlier on Thursday, Cambodia downgraded diplomatic relations with Thailand to their lowest stage, expelled the Thai ambassador and recalled all Cambodian workers from its embassy in Bangkok.
The day earlier than, its neighbour withdrew its ambassador and expelled the highest Cambodian diplomat in protest after 5 Thai troopers had been wounded in a land mine blast, one in all whom misplaced a part of a leg.
Every week earlier, a land mine in a unique contested space exploded and wounded three Thai troopers, together with one who misplaced a foot.
Relations between the southeast Asian neighbours have collapsed after a Cambodian soldier was killed in an armed confrontation in a disputed border space in Might.
Nationalist passions on each side have additional infected the scenario, and Thailand’s prime minister was suspended earlier this month as an investigation was opened into attainable ethics violations over her dealing with of the border dispute.
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Border disputes are longstanding points which have brought on periodic tensions between the nations. Essentially the most outstanding and violent conflicts have been across the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple.
In 1962, the Worldwide Court docket of Justice recognised Cambodian sovereignty over the temple space.
