Border clashes with Cambodia could escalate into war, Thailand warns

Thailand has warned that its ongoing border conflict with Cambodia could spiral into a full-scale war, as fighting between the two Southeast Asian neighbours escalated on Friday, spreading to new areas and prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians.

Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Cambodia had deployed heavy weaponry across multiple fronts, accusing Phnom Penh of aggression and warning that the clashes risked becoming an all-out war.

“The current situation involves acts of intrusion and aggression that are causing harm to the people’s lives,” Phumtham told reporters.

“The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it’s a confrontation involving heavy weapons.”

The Thai military reported fighting in at least 12 locations on Friday, double the number from the previous day along their disputed 817km-long border, including near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple and in provinces such as Surin and Ubon Ratchathani.

At least 15 people have been killed in Thailand and one in Cambodia since the clashes began, while over 100,000 people have been displaced on both sides.

A Cambodian man reportedly died after a Thai rocket hit a Buddhist pagoda in Oddar Meanchey province, where he had taken shelter.

The origins of the dispute lie in colonial-era demarcations made by France more than a century ago. Tensions have flared periodically, particularly around border areas home to ancient religious sites claimed by both countries.

In Surin, Thailand, a university gymnasium has been converted into a temporary shelter for about 600 evacuees. Among them is seamstress Pornpan Sooksai, who described fleeing with her four cats. “I just heard, boom, boom… I was frightened, scared,” she said.

Another evacuee, Rattana Meeying, who lived through the last major border conflict in 2011, said this round felt worse. “Children, old people, were hit out of the blue. I never imagined it would be this violent,” she said.

Both countries have blamed each other for sparking the violence. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilians, while Phnom Penh alleged that Thai forces had used internationally banned cluster munitions.

Despite rising international concern, including calls from the US and China for an immediate ceasefire, Thailand has rejected third-party mediation for now. “I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet,” said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura.

The UN Security Council was expected to meet on Friday to discuss the growing crisis. Meanwhile, Asean chair and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he welcomed “positive signals” from both sides that could lead to dialogue.

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