Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire on their border, sparking a sharp escalation in conflict that has left at least nine civilians dead.
Both countries blamed each other for starting the fighting and have downgraded diplomatic relations since Wednesday. Thailand has also closed all land crossings on its border with Cambodia.
Ties between the Southeast Asian neighbours have deteriorated sharply since a clash in May that left a Cambodian soldier dead. Nationalist sentiment on both sides has made matters worse.
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, while Cambodia's defence ministry said Thai planes dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri said clashes were continuing in at least six areas along the border.
The first clash on Thursday morning occurred near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple on the border of Surin province in Thailand and Oddar Meanchey province in Cambodia.
Video from the Thai side showed people running out of their homes and taking cover in concrete shelters as the blasts went off.
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 events that have occurred, stop attacks on civilian and military targets and cease all actions that violate Thailand's sovereignty,” said ministry spokesman Nikorndey Balankura.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
