Cambodia seeks immediate ceasefire with Thailand after deadly border clashes

Cambodia on Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire with Thailand, two days after deadly border clashes rocked the two South East Asian neighbours, killing at least 14 Thai people.

Cambodia’s ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, has said that the country has sought an “unconditional” ceasefire with Thailand, adding that Phnom Penh also wanted a “peaceful solution to the dispute”.

Thailand is yet to respond to Cambodia’s ceasefire proposal publicly. Earlier on Friday, the country declared martial law in eight districts bordering Cambodia.

However, Thailand’s foreign minister told Reuters that there is no need for third-party mediation for both countries to end their hostilities, as world leaders called for a ceasefire.

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138,000 people evacuated in Thailand

More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, its health ministry said, reporting 15 fatalities – 14 civilians and a soldier – with a further 46 wounded, including 15 troops.

Fighting resumed in three areas around 4 am on Friday (2100 GMT Thursday), the Thai army said, with Cambodian forces firing heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems, and Thai troops responding “with appropriate supporting fire.”

Thailand launched an airstrike against Cambodia following weeks of squabbling along the border, which culminated in an exchange of fire from both sides.

The two sides have blamed each other for increasing hostilities along the border, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of its “inhumane, brutal and war-hungry” and Phnom Penh slamming Bangkok over “unprovoked military aggression”.

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Border dispute reaches UN

At the UN, Cambodia’s envoy questioned Thailand’s assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbour, had initiated the conflict.

“(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well,” said Chhea Keo.

None of the other attendees of the UNSC meeting spoke to reporters.

Meanwhile, Thailand has shut its borders with Cambodia, with the country’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai saying that fighting now included heavy weapons and had spread to 12 locations.

With inputs from agencies