Bangkok: Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia continued for a fourth day on Thursday, forcing more people to flee border regions and pushing the death toll to 16. Cambodia's Senior Minister General Kun Kim stated that between 130,000 and 150,000 people are currently sheltering in temporary sites.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Cambodian Defense Ministry reported that Thai forces have continued to attack border areas and cultural sites with heavy weapons and F-16 fighter jets. The Interior Ministry confirmed that 10 Cambodian civilians have been killed and around 60 injured since Monday. In response, Phnom Penh sent a letter to the UN Security Council accusing Thailand of unprovoked and escalating armed aggression.
The Royal Thai Army has countered these claims, stating that Cambodian forces have carried out continuous attacks along the Thai-Cambodian border since December 7, firing small arms and heavy weapons into Thai territory, including civilian areas and medical facilities. According to the Thai Enquirer, the Thai Army accused Cambodian forces of placing military positions inside civilian communities, casino buildings, and historic sites as shields.
Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri noted that over 400,000 people have been evacuated to safe shelters. The clashes have claimed the lives of six Thai soldiers and displaced over half a million people on both sides of the border. Schools in several border districts have been closed, with some converted into emergency shelters.
Amid speculation of a potential dissolution of parliament for early elections, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reassured that national security operations would not be disrupted by any government move to dissolve the House. According to the Bangkok Post, Anutin suggested the lower house could be dissolved before January 31.
Thailand's Permanent Representative to the UN, Cherdchai Chaivaivid, submitted letters to the UN secretary-general and the Security Council accusing Cambodia of grave military attacks on Thai territory. The Thai Enquirer reported that these letters rejected claims that Thailand initiated the fighting, calling them deliberate misinformation.
Cambodia has recalled its athletes from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games 2025 in Thailand due to safety concerns and is collecting evidence for a potential case at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Both nations accuse each other of initiating the clashes, which violate a peace deal signed in October in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anadolu could not independently verify the claims made by both sides. Washington has expressed concern over the violence, and Trump is expected to speak with leaders of both countries. The neighbors have a long-standing border dispute resulting in repeated clashes, including in July when at least 48 people were killed. The land border has been closed since July, affecting cross-border movement and business. Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy has issued a security alert in Cambodia, urging its citizens to avoid border areas.