PHNOM PENH/BANGKOK/KUALA LUMPUR - Nine Cambodian civilians had been killed as of 12:00 pm and 46 others wounded in the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said on Wednesday.
He said in a Facebook post that more than 127,000 Cambodian people have fled their homes near the border with Thailand for safe shelters.
The Cambodian Ministry of Defense said in a press release that the Thai military fired two shells into a primary school in Banteay Meanchey province on Wednesday afternoon.
Also on Wednesday, Thailand's military announced that it would impose a curfew in four border districts of Sa Kaeo province with immediate effect.
In an official statement, the military said the curfew was to safeguard public order, security and stability in the area, as well as to protect local residents from external threats. All residents from the four districts are not allowed to go out between 7:00 pm and 5:00 am local time the following day.
Meanwhile, Thailand's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday issued a travel advisory, urging Thai nationals to consider leaving Cambodia if they have no essential reason to remain, and those without essential needs to refrain from traveling to Cambodia at this time.
According to the ministry, there are approximately 600 to 1,200 Thai nationals currently in Cambodia.
The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties.
Cambodian military base
Thailand's 1st Army Area Command said Wednesday that its army task force and air force launched a joint aerial strike with an F-16 fighter jet on a Cambodian military base across the border from Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo province.
According to Thai media reports on Wednesday, as the scope of Thailand-Cambodia clashes expands, the Royal Thai Navy has mobilized its maritime, ground and air units to defend the Chanthaburi-Trat border area.
Reports noted that navy patrol ships have been deployed to the area for round-the-clock patrols and surveillance, on standby for any escalation. The navy also warned all Thai fishing vessels to avoid the maritime border with Cambodia and to report any Cambodian warship sightings immediately.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told local media in Bangkok on Wednesday that he had not received any contact or coordination from the Cambodian side and that it was not the right time for negotiations at present.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told foreign media on Tuesday that the current situation was not suitable for third-party mediation, and that Cambodia had a responsibility to take the lead in de-escalating tensions.
The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties.
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'Open to negotiations'
The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia remain open to negotiations to ease tensions between the two, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday.
Anwar, who spoke with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday, said in a statement that Malaysia is committed to supporting peaceful dialogue.
"I appreciate the openness and willingness of both leaders to continue negotiations aimed at easing tensions," he said, adding that "Malaysia will continue to support peaceful dialogue, solutions grounded on international law, and strengthened regional cooperation to safeguard the stability and security of our shared region."
The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties.
