Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire on their border, sparking a major escalation in the conflict that has left at least 11 people dead, mostly civilians.
Both countries blame each other for starting the fighting and have downgraded their diplomatic relations since midweek. Thailand has also closed all land border crossings with Cambodia.
Relations between the Southeast Asian neighbours have deteriorated since a clash in May that left a Cambodian soldier dead. Nationalist sentiment on both sides has further exacerbated the situation.
Thailand's military said the worst casualties were in Sisaket province, where six people were killed in a shooting at a gas station. At least 14 people were wounded in three border provinces.
Thailand's military said it carried out airstrikes on ground military targets in Cambodia on Thursday, and Cambodia's Defense Ministry said Thai planes dropped bombs on a road near the ancient temple of Preah Vihear.
Clashes continue in at least six areas along the border, according to Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri.
The first clash on Thursday morning occurred near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple on the border of Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province.
Video from Thailand showed people running out of their homes and taking cover in concrete shelters as explosions were heard.
Thailand's Foreign Ministry said Cambodia had attacked both military and civilian targets in Thailand, including a hospital.
“The Royal Thai Government calls on Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents that have occurred, stop attacks on civilian and military targets and stop all actions that violate Thailand's sovereignty,” said ministry spokesman Nikorndey Balankura.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
