At least five people were killed in new fighting that broke out on Monday (8 December) forcing residents on both sides of the border between Thailand and Cambodia to flee in large numbers.
This is the most major conflict between the two nations since they reached a ceasefire in July and both sides have blamed the other of initiating the hostilities.
Four Cambodian citizens and at least one Thai soldier have died while over a dozen others have been injured.
As new fighting broke out on Monday, locals along the border were forced to flee.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said, his country “never wanted violence” but will “use necessary means to preserve its sovereignty” while Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen accused Thai “invaders” of provoking retaliation.
More than 40 people have died since May as a result of growing hostilities between the neighbors which have also resulted in travel restrictions and import prohibitions.
While Phnom Penh’s defense ministry claimed that Thai soldiers had launched the initial attack in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear region, the Thai army said on Monday that its troops had replied to Cambodian fire in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani region including by conducting airstrikes along the disputed boundary.