Thailand-Cambodia Tensions LIVE UPDATES: 14 Killed In Deadly Border Clashes

Local media reports noted that a hospital in Thailand’s Sisaket Province, Kantharalak, is closing temporarily and has urged for the relocation of 170 patients to a different health center.

This follows the reports that the Kantharalak provice has been declared a high-risk zone. 

Local sources said many in the hospital were in fear and there was chaos everywhere amid the threats of rapid escalation of the border crisis.

Top business organizations of Thailand have urged for immediate halt to tensions and sought de-escalation, local media reports said.

Reports added that the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand called for restraint and said the authorities from both sides must fix the dispute swiftly in a bid to safeguard the stability of the region.

Local media reports have said that around 5,000 people from Oddar Meanchey province, a border area, have been shifted to places that are safe as tensions between the two escalate.

Reports added that civilians from 12 villages from the bordering region of Banteay Ampil district have been relocated to safe zones.

These safe zones are built by the authorities.

Thailand’s army said that the fighting started at around 7:35 a.m. local time (12:35 GMT) after a patrol group at the ancient Ta Moan Thom Temple detected the presence of a Cambodian drone.

In response, Maly Socheata, official of the Cambodian Defence Ministry, accused Thai military of launching an “armed assault” on the forces of Cambodia.

She added that following the incident, Cambodian forces acted in self-defense.

The border tensions between two countries surged in May when terrible clashes between the armies of both nations resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier.

In response, border crossings were closed on both sides.

Cambodia halted the import of fruits, vegetables, fuel, and even gas from its neighboring nation.

Earlier this month, three Thai army personnel were injured in a mine explosion. Reportedly, they were patrolling the disputed border area.

On Wednesday as well, a mine explosion caused a Thai soldier to lose his leg. The Thai officials said Cambodia had planted the mines in the area.   

Thai authorities said that Cambodian forces started firing across the border with heavy weapons. However, Cambodia rejected the claim and stated that their forces were involved in self-defense following heavy firing from Thai military.