A crater is seen near homes at a residential area amid clashes along the disputed Thai-Cambodian border, in Surin Province, Thailand, on Saturday. Photo by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/EPA
Cambodia and Thailand military forces on Saturday fought each other for the third day over contested border territory as the death toll rose to at least 32.
The dead were 19 in Thailand, including 13 civilians, and 13 in Cambodia, with eight civilians, in the bloodiest fighting in more than a decade, The Guardian reported.
Acting Thai Prime Minister warned the situation “could develop into war.”
“For now, it remains limited to clashes,” he told reporters in Bangkok, and his nation was acting to “protect our land and the sovereignty of our nation.”
Fighting involving tanks began Thursday near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an ancient temple claimed by both nations. Thailand also used F-16 jets.
Weapons included cluster munitions, which are internationally prohibited though both nations haven’t agreed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
“Neither Thailand nor Cambodia appears to be paying attention to international humanitarian law at great expense to civilians,” John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said in a news release Friday. “Diplomatic efforts underway need to prioritize protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
On Friday, United Nations diplomats from both countries sought a cease-fire during an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York.
Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s envoy to the U.N., urged Cambodia to “immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith.”
The diplomat said his nation agreed “in principle” to the deal but said Cambodia was continuing “indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory.”
Cambodia’s U.N. ambassador, Chhea Keo said “Cambodia asked for an immediate cease-fire — unconditionally — and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,” said Chea Keo, Cambodia’s U.N. ambassador.
“If this conflict escalates, the peace and stability of the entire Southeast Asia region will be at stake,” Keo added.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to exercise the “utmost restraint.”
“The United States is gravely concerned by reports of the escalating fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border,” a State Department press spokesperson said Thursday. “We are particularly alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians. We express our deepest condolences on the loss of life. We strongly urge the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes.”
On Saturday, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social from Scotland that he “I just had a very good call with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and informed him of my discussions with Thailand, and its Acting Prime Minister. Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace. They are also looking to get back to the ‘Trading Table’ with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS.
“They have a long and storied History and Culture. They will hopefully get along for many years to come. When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!”
Malaysia, which heads the 10-member Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, offered to mediate.
China has also expressed concern about the situation, which worsened on Saturday.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense accused Thailand of “unprovoked and premeditated act of aggression” on — firing five heavy artillery shells in Pursat Province on the southern edge of the shared border.
Thailand said Cambodia attacked in neighboring Trat Province but their naval forces pushed back “the incursion” early Saturday.
Trat, bordering the Gulf of Thailand and the Pacific Ocean, includes numerous islands with white-sand beaches and coral reefs.
Tensions have escalated since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an exchange with gunfire.
Then last week, Thai soldiers were injured by new landmines. Cambodia has denied putting them there.
Thailand recalled its ambassador from Cambodia and said it would expel Cambodia’s diplomat in Bangkok.
At least 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s borders. Cambodia said more than 23,000 people were moved from near the border.
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister, visited evacuees at a shelter in Ubon Ratchathani Province on Saturday morning.
Cambodia has a population of 17.4 million and Thailand has 71.7 million residents. Vietnam borders both nations.
