Thailand Announces Military Emergency In 8 Cambodian Border Provinces

JAKARTA - The Thai government declared a military emergency status in eight provinces on the border with Cambodia amid an escalation of tensions between the two countries.

The announcement was made by Thailand's Border Defense Command in the provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat on Friday, July 25.

"The border defense force commanders in the provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat declared martial law in a number of areas in the province, which took effect immediately after Cambodia used force to invade Thailand along the border," according to a defense command statement, as quoted by broadcaster PBS reported by ANTARA from Sputnik.

Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in the early hours of Thursday (24/7) local time in the disputed border area of the two countries.

Initially, there was a shootout between ground troops, which then increased in intensity.