Thailand-Cambodia latest: Border sealed after death toll rises to 12 and Thai F-16s bomb Cambodia

Why Thailand and Cambodia are fighting and how the crisis threatens a political dynasty

Mapped: Where are border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia taking place?

Is it safe to travel to Thailand and Cambodia? Foreign Office issue updated advice after border clashes

Thailand residents run for cover as Cambodia border erupts in gunfire

Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire along disputed border as diplomatic crisis deepens

Key Points

• Thailand seals its entire border with Cambodia after skirmishes
• Death toll climbs to 12 after one military personnel dead
• Thailand deploys F-16s along the disputed border
• Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire along disputed border
• Cambodia accuses Thailand of 'reckless and brutal' military aggression

Why Thailand and Cambodia are fighting and how the crisis threatens a political dynasty

Why Thailand and Cambodia are fighting and how the crisis threatens political dynasty

Thailand's acting PM says Cambodia deliberately targeted civilians

Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has accused Cambodian forces of deliberately targeting civilian areas within Thai territory.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Security Council, Phumtham said schools along the border had been closed as a precaution, and field hospitals were being established to treat the wounded.

He added that, for now, the clashes appeared to be contained and had not spread to other regions.

Is it safe to travel to Thailand and Cambodia? Foreign Office issue updated advice after border clashes

Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have deteriorated over the past week, with the two countries exchanging fire across several disputed border zones on Thursday, 24 July.

Both countries attract large numbers of tourists each year, with Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex and its capital Phnom Penh major draws, while Thailand sees many visitors in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, along with islands such as Phuket and Koh Samui.

While these hotspots are not located near the border clashes, tourists should be aware of the closure of the crossings between the two countries as tensions escalate.

Read our full report to know.

Is it safe to travel to Thailand and Cambodia? FCDO issue update amid border clash

Thailand residents run for cover as Cambodia border erupts in gunfire

Thailand seals its entire border with Cambodia after skirmishes

Thailand has sealed its entire 817-km border with Cambodia following a wave of deadly cross-border clashes, air strikes, and artillery fire that have left at least 11 civilians dead and dozens injured across multiple Thai provinces.

The decision to close all official crossings came after Cambodia allegedly fired artillery and BM-21 rockets into Thai territory early on Thursday.

Thai authorities said a Thai F-16 jet responded by bombing a Cambodian military target.

Thailand’s army later said all its F-16 fighter aircraft returned safely after hitting two Cambodian targets.

Suspended Thai PM urges both countries to avoid confrontation and escalation

Thailand’s suspended prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was temporarily removed from office over a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, has condemned Cambodia’s actions and called for deescalation.

“All along, Thailand has made every effort to engage in diplomatic dialogue in order to avoid confrontation, prevent further escalation of the situation and avoid losses by exercising patience and restraint while remaining committed to peaceful means. We firmly believe that peace is the best path to resolving conflicts between nations,” she said.

“According to reports from the authorities concerned, I affirm that all relevant agencies have been working to their fullest capacity. I sincerely hope that the ongoing measures will bring an end to violence and bring back peace to the people at the earliest opportunity.

”She said she lent her support to all the actions taken so far by the Thai government and armed forces.

Mapped: Where are border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia taking place?

Thailand and Cambodia traded artillery and airstrikes at multiple flashpoints along their disputed border on Thursday, killing 11 civilians and one soldier and wounding around a dozen in the most serious escalation of hostilities between the Southeast Asian nations in over a decade.

The conflict erupted early Thursday near Ta Moan Thom, an ancient temple complex straddling Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey. Thai authorities claimed that clashes started after a drone and six Cambodian soldiers were spotted near a Thai Army outpost.

In photos: New pictures of the Thai-Cambodia conflict show civilian damage

New pictures have emerged of the latest conflict between Thailand and Cambodia after civilian targets were hit.

Smoke and fire were seen rising from a convenience store at a gas station in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, Thailand.

Cambodian soldiers were seen preparing ordnance in Preah Vihear province.

Thai acting PM says fighting with Cambodia must stop before negotiations can happen

Fighting must first stop between Thailand and Cambodia before there can be negotiations, Thailand's acting premier said on Thursday.

Caretaker prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai told a press conference there had been no declaration of war and conflict was not spreading into more provinces.

He said Cambodia had fired heavy weapons into Thailand without any specific targets, resulting in civilian deaths.

Malaysian PM to speak to Thai and Cambodian leader

Malaysia’s prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has voiced concern over the intensifying conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, saying he plans to speak with both leaders by the end of the day.“

The least we can expect from them is to just stand down and hopefully to try and enter into negotiations,” Anwar told reporters.

Malaysia currently chairs the ASEAN regional bloc, of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members.

Other countries including Britain and China have also issued statements reacting to the conflict.

China's foreign ministry said it was deeply concerned about ongoing developments along the Thailand-Cambodia border and hoped that both sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultations.

The UK has urged British nationals to "take extra care" near border areas between Thailand and Cambodia.

Thai army shares breakdown of casualties

The latest update by the Royal Thai Army has reported a surge in civilian casualties across several provinces following intensified cross-border attacks allegedly carried out by Cambodian forces.

Eight civilians were killed and 10 more injured near a petrol station in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province. Casualties also included military personnel, the army said, without saying how many.

In Kap Choeng district, Surin province, two people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed. Two others were hospitalised.

In Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province, one fatality and one injury were reported.

One person was also injured in Ban Kruad district, Buriram province.

The army said: “The Royal Thai Army condemns these violent acts against civilian targets by the Cambodian side and is prepared to undertake military operations to defend our sovereignty and citizens from these acts that violate humanitarian principles to the fullest extent.”

Thailand's PM was suspended last month after May clashes

Thailand’s prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended in July following a ruling by the Constitutional Court over allegations she violated ministerial ethics in connection with a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

The petition accused her of undermining Thailand’s military and national interest by describing a Thai Army commander as her “opponent” and referring to Mr Hun Sen in familial terms – calling him “uncle” – during a private conversation that was later leaked

The leaked conversation, reportedly intended to de-escalate tensions following a deadly cross-border clash on 28 May that left one Cambodian soldier dead, has sparked a political storm.

Why was Thailand’s prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended?

Death toll climbs to 12 after one military personnel dead

Thailand’s health minister has said a total of 12 people have been killed in the clashes.

At least 11 Thai civilians and one soldier have been killed in the latest outbreak of border hostilities with Cambodia, Somsak Thepsuthin said.

He said Cambodia's actions, including an attack on a hospital, should be considered war crimes.

Cambodia calls on UN to convene urgent meeting

Cambodia has requested the United Nations Security Council to convene an "urgent meeting" to stop Thailand’s hostilities.

"Considering the recent extremely grave aggressions by Thailand, which have gravely threatened peace and stability in the region, I earnestly request you to convene an urgent meeting of the Security Council to stop Thailand's aggression," prime minister Hun Manet wrote to he council's president, in a letter dated Thursday.

China says it is 'deeply concerned' over Thailand-Cambodia clash

China's foreign ministry on Thursday said it is deeply concerned about ongoing developments along the Thailand-Cambodia border and hopes that both sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultations.

China will play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular press conference, adding that China upholds a just and impartial stance.

Thailand considers wall at border with Cambodia

Thailand earlier said it was considering constructing a wall along a section of its border with Cambodia to combat illegal crossings.

Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub on Monday confirmed the proposal is under review, stating, "If it is done, how will it be done? What results and how will it solve problems? This is a study." The spokesperson did not specify the proposed length of the wall.

This comes amid a growing international campaign to dismantle a vast network of illicit scam operations in Southeast Asia.

These scam centres, often located along Thailand's borders with Myanmar and Cambodia, are responsible for widespread financial fraud. The United Nations has reported that criminal gangs have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people into these operations in recent years.

Over the weekend, Cambodian authorities handed over 119 Thai nationals to Thai police following a raid on a scam compound in Poipet. The raid freed more than 215 people.

Thailand considers wall at border with Cambodia

In photos: Cambodian soldiers ready BM-21 launcher at attack

New pictures have emerged of Cambodian soldiers reloading the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province after a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbours.

The Royal Thai Army earlier in the day said two BM-21 rockets were fired into a civilian area in Kab Choeng district this morning, injuring three people.

At least nine civilians killed in Thailand, military says

Thailand’s military has said that at least nine civilians have been killed as tensions with Cambodia erupted into exchanges of fire along the two countries' contested border.

The Thai Army said the most casualties occurred in Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after shots were fired at a fuel station.

At least 14 people were injured in three border provinces.

Clashes are ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Thai defence ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said.

The Thai army said it launched air strikes with its F-16 fighter jets on Thursday on ground military targets in Cambodia, while the Cambodian Defence Ministry said the Thai jets dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Why Cambodia and Thailand are fighting over their border and what happens next

Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire across several disputed border zones on Thursday, killing at least one person, injuring three and prompting a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties between the Southeast Asian neighbours.

The clashes began early Thursday morning near the ancient Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, located along the border between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attack.

Further skirmishes were reported near the Prasat Ta Krabey site and along the border separating Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani.

A livestream from Thailand showed civilians fleeing explosions and seeking shelter in concrete bunkers as gunfire continued in the area.

Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet claimed Thailand had targeted Cambodian military positions at multiple places.

Why Cambodia and Thailand continue to fight over border and what happens next

UK warns citizens near Thai-Cambodia border

The UK has urged British nationals to "take extra care" near the border areas between Thailand and Cambodia, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said.

The FCDO also urged people to "follow the instructions of local authorities" when travelling around these areas.

Thousands evacuated from Thai villages near border

Thai authorities have evacuated approximately 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border with Cambodia, following intense cross-border shelling that killed at least one person on Thursday.

The evacuations were ordered after artillery fire from Cambodian forces reportedly struck residential areas in Thailand’s Surin province.

One district official said the shells “fell on people’s homes”, forcing local authorities to move families, including children and the elderly to safer locations.

Concrete shelters, reinforced with sandbags and tyres, were used to shield civilians from ongoing gunfire and explosions.

“How many rounds have been fired? It’s countless,” one woman told Thai Public Broadcasting as she took cover in a bunker.

Thailand says Cambodia targeted hospital in attacks

Cambodia's military has launched attacks targeting civilian areas in Thailand, including a hospital, causing fatalities, Thailand's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Thailand "is prepared to intensify our self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty in accordance with international law and principles," the ministry said in a statement.

It urged its neighbour to cease actions it said were severe violations of international law.

Thai army calls Cambodian rocket strike on civilians 'inhumane'

The Royal Thai Army has condemned what it called the “violent and inhumane” actions of Cambodian forces.

It said two BM-21 rockets were fired into a civilian area in Kab Choeng district this morning, injuring three people.

“The Royal Thai Army condemns the violent and inhumane actions of Cambodian forces in the case of using two BM-21 rocket weapons fired into a community area within the Border Area Development Centre, Kab Choeng District, Surin Province, at 09.40am today,” it said in a statement on Thursday.

Thai authorities said residents have since been evacuated and military units are on high alert, monitoring the situation and preparing contingency plans.

Thailand says at least 1 civilian killed

At least one civilian has been killed and three others, including a child, have been injured in Thailand, its army said.

The Thai Army said it has launched airstrikes on ground targets in Cambodia.

The Cambodian Defence Ministry said Thailand's Army used jets to drop bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for the Thai defence ministry, said three other civilians, including a 5-year-old boy, were seriously injured after Cambodia fired shots into a residential area in Thailand's Surin province.

Clashes are ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Mr Surasant said.The first clash this morning happened in an area near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple along the border of Surin and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province.

A livestream video from Thailand's side showed people running from their homes and hiding in a concrete bunker Thursday morning as explosions sounded.

In photos: Thailand and Cambodia trade fire at border

Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire along disputed border as diplomatic crisis deepens

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire along their disputed border on Thursday as a volatile territorial dispute spiralled into a full-blown diplomatic crisis.

The clash came just a day after a landmine blast maimed five Thai soldiers, with Bangkok blaming the neighbouring country for laying new Russian-made explosives in violation of a key international treaty.

The exchange of fire occurred at 8.20am local time near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an ancient Khmer-Hindu temple close to the heavily patrolled border, the Thai army said, accusing the rival military of using rocket launchers and several other weapons systems.

Read our full report.

Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire along border as diplomatic crisis deepens

Thailand closing all border points with Cambodia

Thailand has said it is closing all border points with Cambodia after the breakout of a military clash between the two countries.

Thailand's military officials have made the announcement in a press conference.

Cambodia accuses Thailand of 'reckless and brutal' military aggression

Cambodia’s defence ministry has condemned Thailand for its “reckless and brutal” military aggression, after Bangkok fire from its F-16 fighter jet.

Cambodia "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia," it said in a statement, adding Thai fighter jets had been deployed and had dropped two bombs on a road.

Thailand deploys F-16s along the disputed border

Thailand has said it has “opened fire” with its F-16 jet and destroyed Cambodian military targets.

"F-16 has opened fire!" the Thai army has posted on social media.

It said Cambodia's Special Military Region Commands 8 and 9 have been hit in the attack from single F-16 so far.

It announced that it has deployed its six F-16 fighter jets along the border.