Afternoon summary
Here is an overview of today’s events:
Thailand’s health minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, said 12 people, including 11 civilians and one soldier, were killed in artillery shelling by Cambodian forces. He added that 24 civilians and seven military personnel were wounded. One child was included among the civilians killed. Cambodia’s attacks targeted civilian areas in Thailand, including a hospital, causing fatalities, Thailand’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, urging its neighbour to cease actions it said were severe violations of international law.
Thailand said an F-16 fighter jet had fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target. The army said several more jets were ready to be deployed. “We have used air power against military targets as planned,” Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Cambodia’s influential former premier Hun Sen – father of current prime minister Hun Manet – said that two Cambodian provinces had come under shelling from Thailand’s military. There was no immediate word of casualties in Cambodia.
Fighting must first stop between Thailand and Cambodia before there can be negotiations, Thailand’s acting premier said on Thursday. Phumtham Wechayachai told a press conference there had been no declaration of war and conflict was not spreading into more provinces.
Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet has requested the UN security council convene an “urgent meeting” over Thursday’s clashes. The letter accuses Thailand of “unprovoked, premeditated and deliberate attacks” on Cambodian positions along border areas.
The clashes broke out along a disputed section of their border with both countries accusing the other of provocation, after weeks of simmering tensions between the south-east-Asian neighbours. The conflict started near the Khmer Hindu temple, Ta Muen Thom, on Thursday morning.
Both Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of opening fire first. The Thai military said Cambodian troops had opened fire near the temple, and deployed a surveillance drone before sending in troops with heavy weapons, including rocket launchers. Cambodia has denied the claims, with its ministry of national defence saying it was the Thai military that launched the first armed assault.
Thailand’s military said it had closed all border checkpoints and that fighting was taking place at six different locations.
Earlier on Thursday, Cambodia said it was downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand to their lowest level, expelling the Thai ambassador and recalling all Cambodian staff from its embassy in Bangkok. That was in response to Thailand closing its northeastern border crossings with Cambodia, withdrawing its ambassador and expelling the Cambodian ambassador on Wednesday to protest a landmine blast that wounded five Thai soldiers.
Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet has asked on Thursday for those living in the country to avoid discrimination against Thai companies or citizens. He asked any Cambodian citizens in Thailand who were facing discrimination to contact the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok or the Cambodian Consulate-General in Sa Kaeo province.
Thai news outlet The Nation reports business leaders in the country expressing “deep concern” about the ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.
The Thai Chamber of Commerce reportedly said in a statement:
The Thai Chamber of Commerce extends its deepest sympathies and encouragement to the brave personnel of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and all security agencies … who are tirelessly fulfilling their duty to protect the nation’s sovereignty. We pray for the safety of all citizens affected by this perilous situation.
