What we know about clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border

At least 16 people have been killed, and tens of thousands have been displaced, as Thailand and Cambodia remain engaged in their worst fighting in more than a decade, exchanging heavy artillery fire across their disputed border.

Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has told reporters the border fighting “could develop into war”.What has happened and where?
Armed fighting broke out on Thursday morning near the disputed, ancient Prasat Ta Moan Thom Temple in Surin province, Thailand, very close to the border with Cambodia, where tensions have been running high in recent weeks.Fighting has occurred in 12 locations along the disputed border, a Thai military official said on Friday. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a military spokesperson, told a news conference that Cambodia had used heavy weapons.

It’s unclear yet who fired the first shot, with each side blaming the other.

The Thai military accused Cambodian soldiers of “provocation”.

Cambodian troops deployed a surveillance drone at 7:35am (00:35 GMT) before soldiers with rocket launchers approached a Thai military post, according to the Thai military. Thereafter, Cambodian forces opened fire towards the eastern side of the temple, 200 metres (650ft) from the Thai military base, and also targeted a local community with rockets, the Thai military said.

Deputy army spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters that air attacks were launched in response, including six F-16 fighter jets which attacked sites over the border in Cambodia and reportedly destroyed two military targets.

However, Cambodian defence officials denied that their troops fired first and said the country only responded after Thai troops launched an “armed assault on Cambodian forces”.

Spokeswoman Maly Socheata accused Thailand of violating Cambodia’s territorial integrity and said Cambodian troops “exercised their right to defend their sovereignty” after Thai fighter jets dropped two bombs on a road.