JUST IN: Eight districts in Thailand are placed under martial law due to conflict.
MARTIAL LAW IN THAILAND – Amid the ongoing border conflict, martial law was declared in areas bordering Cambodia.
A long-running border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has dramatically escalated on Thursday. Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodian military targets and accused Cambodia of firing rockets and artillery.
As of writing, at least 11 Thai civilians have been killed – one an eight-year-old boy and one a Thai soldier. It’s not yet clear if there are Cambodian casualties. Both countries accused each other of opening fire first. The tension has been boiling for months due to disputed sections of their 500-mile (800-kilometer) land border.
Based on the latest, more than 135,000 were displaced as the clash’s 2nd day started.
Recently, Thailand declared martial law in eight districts that border Cambodia on July 25. In a statement, Apichart Sapprasert, the commander of the military’s Border Defence Command of Chanthaburi and Trat, confirmed that “martial law is now in effect” in seven districts of Chanthaburi and one district of Trat.
According to the Thai commander, the decision was prompted due to “Cambodia’s use of force” to enter Thai territory.
Thailand has already warned Cambodia that this conflict could escalate into a war. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that Bangkok would definitely defend its territory and sovereignty.
“We have tried to compromise as we are neighbours, but we have now instructed the Thai military to act immediately in case of urgency,” Phumtham said.
On the other hand, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed that they are ready for a ceasefire; however, they accused Thailand of breaking a deal brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The US, China, and Malaysia have offered to mediate the growing tensions between the two Asian countries.
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