Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire in clashes that kill at least 9 civilians

Thailand confirmed that one of its six readied F-16 fighter jets had conducted airstrikes on what it described as a Cambodian military target. Cambodian officials countered, claiming the Thai aircraft dropped two bombs on a public road near the historic Preah Vihear temple.

“We have used air power against military targets as planned,” Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon said, according to Reuters.

Cambodia condemned the airstrikes as “reckless and brutal military aggression,” with its foreign ministry urging Thailand to “withdraw its forces and refrain from further provocative actions.”

Civilian casualties and mass evacuations

Thai officials reported the heaviest civilian toll in Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after artillery fire struck a gas station. Two more civilians died in Surin province, with authorities evacuating around 40,000 residents from 86 villages as shelling intensified.

Thai people who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers take shelter in Surin province, northeastern Thailand. (AP Photo)

Thai defense spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said clashes erupted in at least six areas, with the first skirmish reported near the Ta Muen Thom temple. A livestream from the Thai side showed residents fleeing to fortified shelters as explosions echoed in the background.

The recent escalation follows a string of landmine incidents that injured Thai soldiers near disputed zones. Thailand claims the explosives were newly laid, Russian-made devices. Cambodia has called these accusations “baseless.”

On Wednesday, five Thai soldiers were wounded by a mine blast. A similar incident a week earlier left another soldier without a foot.

Cambodian officials insist Thai troops entered their territory, prompting defensive fire.

Ambassadors expelled, borders closed

In a further breakdown of relations, both nations expelled each other’s ambassadors. Thailand sealed off all land border crossings, while Cambodia recalled embassy staff from Bangkok. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that further aggression would prompt intensified self-defense.

Thai soldiers inspect a border area on Sunday, in Ubon Ratchathani province, where the Royal Thai Army said two anti-personnel landmines were found. (Photo: Royal Thai Army via AP)

Territorial tensions between the neighbours, especially around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, have simmered for decades. The International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty over the temple to Cambodia in 1962, a decision reaffirmed in 2013 after deadly border clashes in 2011.

The latest violence has triggered political upheaval in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended after a leaked call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen stirred controversy over her handling of the crisis.

Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation: “We have to be careful. We will follow international law,” he said Thursday.

(With inputs from AP, Reuters)