Cambodia-Thailand border conflict clashes spread as civilian death toll rises

Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia spread Tuesday to new parts of their contested border as the toll rose to 10 killed and tens of thousands of civilians fled the violence.

The two countries have blamed each other for the renewed clashes over their century-old border dispute, which saw Thailand launch air strikes and use tanks against its neighbor on Monday.

Thailand's Second Army Region said in a social media post that Cambodian forces had fired BM-21 multiple-launch rockets into Thailand's borders since 6 a.m. on Tuesday, forcing Thailand to respond.

Thai navy spokesperson Parat Rattanachaiphan said in a press conference that Thai forces recently detected Cambodian troops, settlements and several weapon bases in a disputed coastal area of Trat province.

Thai media reported that fresh border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have forced over 800 schools and many hospitals to temporarily close in Thailand's border provinces.

The Thai army said three soldiers have been killed since Monday.

Two more Thai soldiers were killed Tuesday in the border dispute, lifting the soldier death toll to three in the renewed conflict, according to the Thai army.

Nearly 500 temporary shelters have been established across several border provinces, housing more than 125,000 civilian evacuees, according to a government statement.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Tuesday that Cambodian soldiers have launched counterattacks against Thai soldiers after more than 24 hours of non-retaliation to respect the ceasefire and to evacuate civilians.

Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said the Thai army has used heavy and destructive weapons, F-16 fighter jets and toxic gas to attack Cambodian military positions and civilians from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday morning.

Seven Cambodian civilians were killed and 20 others wounded in the border conflict, she said.

About 54,550 Cambodian residents have fled their homes for safe shelters as border conflict with Thailand has entered a third day, Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said on Tuesday.

As of 11 a.m. local time on Tuesday, residents in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey and Pursat provinces have fled the assaults and moved to safe zones due to the Thai military's attacks on Cambodian forces and civilians, he told reporters.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the European Union and Malaysia's prime minister on Monday urged both parties to exercise restraint and halt hostilities.

(With input from agencies)