Explosions rocked the Thailand-Cambodia border for a second straight day as the two neighbors exchanged intense artillery fire in their worst conflict in over a decade — leaving at least 16 dead and 100,000 people evacuated.
Thailand reported pre-dawn attacks in Ubon Ratchathani and Surin, accusing Cambodia of launching heavy bombardment with BM-21 rocket systems and artillery. In return, Thai forces responded with what they called “appropriate firepower.”
The fighting erupted Thursday in a long-disputed border zone, escalating fast from gunfire to full-blown shelling across six different areas spread over 200 km. Both sides blame each other for starting the conflict.
Eyewitnesses in Surin heard sporadic blasts as Thai military convoys — including tanks and armored trucks — surged toward the border through rice fields and rural roads.
Tensions soared after Thailand expelled Cambodia’s envoy and withdrew its own ambassador, blaming Cambodia for landmines that seriously injured a Thai soldier — a claim Cambodia has denied.
Rising Toll, Escalating Danger
Thailand confirmed 15 dead (14 civilians) and 46 injured. Cambodia reported 1 civilian death and 5 injured, with over 1,500 families displaced.
In a rare move, Thailand deployed six F-16 fighter jets, with one used in a retaliatory strike — a show of air superiority over Cambodia, which lacks fighter aircraft.
Cambodia condemned the airstrike as “reckless and brutal aggression.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. and regional leaders, including Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, urged an immediate ceasefire and peaceful talks. “Positive signals” from both Bangkok and Phnom Penh hint that diplomacy may still have a chance.
