Trat: Thailand on Sunday imposed martial law and declared a curfew in several districts of the easternmost province of Trat as border clashes with Cambodia continue, including one casualty reported by the media. Thai Staff Sgt. Apisit Bunnak was reportedly killed on Sunday by a BM-21 rocket while on duty near the border.
According to Anadolu Agency, Defense Ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri stated that the Royal Thai Navy will impose a curfew in four districts of Trat, adding that the fighting continued along the border. Martial law has been enforced in these districts, giving authorities the authority to detain individuals or conduct searches of people, vehicles, or structures believed to present a security threat.
Royal Thai Navy spokesperson Rear Adm. Parach Rattanachaipan reported that Thai marines have successfully recaptured the majority of Ban Sam Lang and Ban Nong Ree, located in the Cham Rak sub-district of Muang in the Trat province, after intense combat with Cambodian forces. Separately, Chaiyapruek Duangprapat, Thailand's top general, emphasized that their ultimate aim is to ensure that 'Cambodia will not pose a military threat to Thailand for a long time.'
Meanwhile, Cambodia's Defense Ministry accused the Thai military of carrying out attacks on several villages with artillery shells, F-16 bombing, and advancing infantry.
The latest developments came after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim communicated on US social media company X that he had separate calls with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, urging both sides to cease hostilities. Anwar proposed the deployment of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), led by the Malaysian Chief of Defense Forces, to monitor developments on the ground, complemented by satellite monitoring capabilities of the US. However, Anutin denied that a truce would occur at the specified time, while Hun Manet welcomed and supported the initiative for a ceasefire.
Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have displaced around 700,000 people on both sides, with the death toll climbing to 34 since Monday. Eleven civilians have been killed in Cambodia, while 16 soldiers and seven civilians in Thailand were killed, with over 290 soldiers and police officers injured. The two countries signed a peace deal in October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but it was suspended after Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion. Around 18 Cambodian soldiers remain in Thai custody from past incidents. The neighbors have a longstanding border dispute leading to repeated clashes, including a deadly incident in July.