At least 20 people died in the confrontation, the most serious in over a decade
Tension and Cambodia continued to increase this Friday (25) on the second day of armed clashes along the border between the two countries. Thailand’s interim minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned that conflicts can evolve into a war.
At least 20 people died in the confrontation, the most serious in over a decade. In addition, more than 138,000 people were forced to leave their homes. “The situation has intensified and can evolve into a war,” said Wechayachai.
The tension led the UN Security Council (United Nations) to convene an emergency meeting this Friday at the request of Cambodia Prime Minister, Hun Manet.
Cambodia and Thailand are mutually accusing themselves of starting the conflict on Thursday morning in a diplomatic crisis that quickly climbed into intense bombing over a border whose sovereignty has been contested for over a century.
The clashes began after Thailand summoned its ambassador to Cambodia on Wednesday (23) and said it would expel Cambojan envoy in Bancoc, after a second Thai soldier, within one week, losing a member due to an earthly mine in the disputed area.
Thailand accuses Cambodia of having recently put the mines, which was denied by Cambodian authorities. The Cambodian territory still contains millions of remaining land mines of the civil war that occurred decades ago, according to deminating groups.
The fact that both countries have expelled ambassadors from each other makes it difficult for the prospects for rapid diplomatic resolution.
This Friday, the fighting resumed before dawn and were recorded in at least 12 locations, according to the Thai military, who accused Cambodia of attacking schools and hospitals with Russian BM-21 rockets.
Cambodia stated that the bombings of Thailand caused “significant and visible damage” to the Preah Vihear temple, considered a World Heritage Site and that both countries have claimed for decades.
The Thai army classified the allegation as “a clear distortion of the facts.”
Thailand has decreed martial law in eight border provinces. The Interior Ministry stated that more than 138,000 civilians were taken to temporary shelters, including 428 hospitalized patients who had to be evacuated.
The official number of dead in Thailand rose to 19, 13 civilians, and 62 people were injured. On the Cambodian side, local authorities reported a death and five injured.
In Samraong, Cambojan city 20 km from the border between countries, families were seen running down with children and belongings. “We’re scared. I don’t know when we can go home,” said to Bak, 41, while looking for shelter with his wife and children in a Buddhist temple.
Bilateral solution
United States, China and Malaysia, current president of the Southeast Asia Nations Association (Asean), offered to mediate dialogue between countries, but Bangcoc seeks a bilateral solution to the conflict.
“I don’t think we need third parties’ mediation right now,” said Thai Chancellery spokesman Nikorndej Balankura. He reiterated that Cambodia should cease attacks before any dialogue may occur.
“We maintain our position that the bilateral mechanism is the best way. Doors are still open,” he said.
The United States, which maintain a security treaty with Thailand, have called for “immediate termination of attacks, civilian protection and a peaceful solution for disputes,” according to a statement issued on Thursday by state department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
On Friday, China Foreign Minister Wang Yi classified the conflict as “distressing and worrying.”
For over a century, Thailand and Cambodia contest sovereignty at various points not marked along its 817 km land border, which led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weekly artillery exchange in 2011.
