Fresh clashes erupt along the Thailand–Cambodia border
The Chronify
Tensions have flared up again between Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand and Cambodia. On Sunday, an exchange of gunfire took place between the armed forces of the two countries in Thailand’s border province of Sisaket, which lies adjacent to Cambodia.
In a statement, the Royal Thai Army said that on Sunday at 2:15 PM local time, the Cambodian army opened fire toward the border area of Sisaket. As a result, two Thai soldiers were injured. The Thai army immediately returned fire. The exchange of gunfire continued until 2:50 PM local time.
According to the Thai military statement, one of the injured soldiers was shot in the leg, while the other sustained a chest injury. Shortly after the fighting stopped, the Thai army and border guards evacuated several thousand civilians to safe locations from four Thai provinces bordering Cambodia Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchani.
Sunday, Thailand lodged a complaint against Cambodia at the United Nations. Thailand alleged that Cambodia had secretly planted landmines over a large area inside Thai territory along the border. Several Thai and Chinese nationals were reportedly injured in explosions caused by these landmines. The Thai government urged the UN to investigate the matter.
Shortly after Thailand filed the complaint, clashes broke out between the two armies in Sisaket province.
