Thailand-Cambodia clashes kill at least 15 as 120,000 flee border area

At least 14 people have been killed in Thailand and another in Cambodia in fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops, authorities say, as more than 120,000 people living along both sides of their border flee the ongoing violence.

Deadly fighting continued for a second day on Friday as both countries traded heavy artillery and rocket fire in the bloodiest military confrontation between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in more than a decade.“The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war,” acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said he had backed a ceasefire proposal put forward by his Malaysian counterpart and chairperson of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Anwar Ibrahim, but added that Thailand withdrew its backing of the plan after initially agreeing to it.In a Facebook post, Hun Manet described Thailand’s decision as “regrettable”.

“The key to resolving the current armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is the genuine willingness of the Thai side to accept a ceasefire,” Hun Manet said.

Thailand’s foreign ministry said later that it agreed in principle with the Malaysian proposal for a ceasefire and will consider the plan, but that it must be based on “appropriate on-the-ground conditions”.

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