Border War Breaks Out Again, Thailand Enacts Nighttime and Military Emergency
Thailand imposed a military emergency status and curfews in several border districts on Sunday, December 14, following increased tensions with Cambodia that reignited armed clashes.
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Local daily Khaosod reported that a Thai Army soldier was killed while on duty near the border after being hit by a BM-21 rocket attack on the same day.
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Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post quoted a spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Defense, Surasant Kongsiri, who said that the curfew was imposed in four districts in Trat Province and fighting was still taking place along the border line.
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The imposition of a state of emergency gives the security forces broad powers, including detaining individuals and conducting searches of people, vehicles, and buildings that are considered a threat to security.
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Thai public media PBS reported that Thai marines managed to recapture most of the Ban Sam Lang and Ban Nong Ree areas in Cham Rak, Muang, after fierce battles with Cambodian forces.
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The Supreme Commander of the Thai Army, General Chaiyapruek Duangprapat, said the main goal of the military operation was to ensure that Cambodia did not become a long-term military threat to Thailand.
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On the other hand, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense accused the Thai military of attacking a number of villages with artillery fire, bombing from F-16 fighter jets, and the movement of infantry troops, as reported by Khmer Times.
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Efforts to ease the conflict continue to be made by various parties. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim conveyed through the X platform that he had held separate talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. He urged the two countries to immediately stop hostilities.
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Anwar also said he had asked for the deployment of the ASEAN Observer Team (ASEAN Observer Team/AOT) led by the Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces to monitor the development of the situation on the ground, with the support of the United States' satellite monitoring capabilities.
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However, Anwar said that Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that a ceasefire could not be carried out because negotiations with Cambodia were considered not in time, as reported by the Thai Enquirer. On the other hand, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said his country welcomed and supported Anwar's proposed ceasefire initiative.
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Clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border have reportedly caused around 700,000 people to flee on both sides of the border. The death toll has reached 34 people since Monday. A total of 11 civilians were reported dead in Cambodia, while in Thailand 16 soldiers and seven civilians were reported dead. More than 290 soldiers and police were also reported injured.
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Thailand and Cambodia previously signed a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur in October. However, the agreement was suspended after several Thai soldiers were seriously injured due to landmine explosions in the border area. In addition, about 18 Cambodian soldiers are still being held by Thailand in connection with a number of incidents in the past five months.
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Border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia have been going on for a long time and often trigger armed clashes. In July, a similar conflict reportedly killed at least 48 people.