Thailand has not responded to Cambodia’s appeal for an unconditional ceasefire as deadly border clashes continue to escalate. Heavy weapons are being deployed and civilians forced to flee their homes. The Thai government earlier declared martial law in eight districts bordering Cambodia, reports the BBC.
Cambodia’s ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, said Phnom Penh had requested a truce “unconditionally” and called for a “peaceful solution of the dispute”. At least 16 people have been killed, and tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides, with each country blaming the other for initiating Thursday’s clashes.
Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned on Friday that the situation could “move towards war”, noting that the fighting had expanded to 12 locations along the border and involved heavy weapons. Thai authorities also accused Cambodia of firing into civilian areas and evacuated villages within range of Cambodian rockets.
Cambodia, however, accused Thailand of deploying cluster munitions, which are banned in much of the world due to their devastating impact on civilian populations. Thailand has not responded to this allegation. Cambodia’s defence ministry said 13 people had been killed, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with 71 others injured.
The Thai army reported that five of its soldiers were killed on Friday, bringing the country’s total toll to 20, with 14 civilian deaths and six military casualties.
Despite international appeals for peace, Thailand’s foreign minister rejected the idea of third-party mediation. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chairs the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), has offered to mediate, while the US called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict”.