BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH/KUALA LUMPUR - The Thai Army said on Monday it deployed fighter jets in response to Cambodian attacks that left two soldiers killed and four wounded. Meanwhile, a Cambodian defense spokesperson said Thai soldiers on Monday opened fire on Cambodian armed forces for the second straight day, adding that Cambodia did not fire back.

According to Thai Army Spokesperson Winthai Suvaree, the incident occurred at around 07:00 am local time in the Chong Bok area of Nam Yuen District, where Thai soldiers operating in the area were attacked with "supporting fire weapons," resulting in the five casualties.

The deadly engagement followed an earlier clash in the nearby Chong An Ma area at around 05:05 am local time, when Cambodian troops opened fire with small arms and indirect weapons, prompting the Thai side to respond under the rules of engagement, the Thai Army said in a statement.

In response to the casualties and what it termed a "direct threat to national security," the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) confirmed it has commenced air operations targeting Cambodian military infrastructure.

"These developments prompted the use of air power to deter and reduce Cambodia's military capabilities to the minimum level necessary to safeguard national security and protect civilians," said RTAF Spokesperson Jackkrit Thammavichai.

ALSO READ: Cambodia: 5 injured after Thai soldiers opened fire on Cambodian civilians

On the same day, Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said around 05:04 am on Monday, the Thai military forces launched an attack on the Cambodian forces in An Ses area, Preah Vihear province.

"Subsequently, they continued firing multiple shots with tanks at Tamoan Thom temple, 5 Makara in the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple and Chomka Chek area," she added.

"It should be noted that this attack occurred after the Thai forces engaged in numerous provocative actions for many days, especially the incident yesterday (Sunday) at Prorlean Thmar area, with the objective of instigating confrontations," Socheata said.

She said Cambodia "did not retaliate at all during the two assaults" and continues to monitor the situation vigilantly and with utmost caution standing on the spirit of "respecting all previous agreements and resolving conflicts peacefully according to international law."

She also said that Cambodia has informed the ASEAN Observer Team about this incident and plans to request the team to conduct an investigation into the matter. 

On Monday afternoon, the Thai army expanded its attack area to Banteay Meanchey province after it attacked military positions and civilian zones in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces, Socheata said.

After opening fire on Cambodian forces and civilians in the Military Region 4 in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces from 05:04 am on Monday, the Thai army expanded its attack on civilians in Prey Chan and Chouk Chey villages in Banteay Meanchey province at 13:36 pm, she said.

Socheata said the Thai military's attack has destroyed numerous homes, forcing the local innocent civilians to flee their homes for safe places.

35,000 civilians evacuated

As of 6:00 am local time on Monday, approximately 70 percent of civilians in four provinces along the Thai-Cambodian border had already been evacuated, Thailand's Second Army Region said in a statement.

According to the statement, 35,623 people were registered at temporary shelters, adding that those not in shelters were likely staying with relatives or were still in transit.

It also confirmed one civilian death during the evacuation, attributing it to a pre-existing illness. 

Malaysia calls for calm

Malaysia has expressed deep concern over reported armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces along their border, conveying condolences to the families of those killed or injured on Monday.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on social media that the renewed fighting risks unravelling the careful work that has gone into stabilizing relations between the two neighbors.

He said that as close partners of Malaysia and key members of ASEAN, Thailand and Cambodia were urged to exercise maximum restraint, maintain open channels of communication and make full use of existing mechanisms to ease tensions.

Anwar also said Malaysia stands ready to support steps that can help restore calm and avert further incidents.

"Our region cannot afford to see long-standing disputes slip into cycles of confrontation. The immediate priority is to halt the fighting, safeguard civilians and return to a diplomatic path supported by international law and the neighborly spirit on which ASEAN depends," Anwar noted. 

Self-defense military operations

Also on Monday, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that Thailand will exercise its "legitimate right to self-defense" to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to ongoing border clashes with Cambodia.

In a televised address following a resolution by the National Security Council, Anutin stated that military operations will be conducted in all cases as dictated by the conditions of the situation, with prudence under the rules of engagement and adherence to humanitarian principles.

The government has also ordered immediate support for civilians evacuated to temporary shelters, instructing all agencies to provide food, medical care, and essential welfare.

The address follows escalating violence along the Thai-Cambodian border, which began on Sunday and has already claimed the life of one Thai soldier and injured eight others, according to the Thai Army.

4 Cambodian civilians killed 

Four Cambodian civilians have been killed in a Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said on Monday.

"Three civilians were killed in Oddar Meanchey province and one was killed in Preah Vihear province," he told Xinhua by telephone.

Vietnamese PM calls for dialogue 

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on Cambodia and Thailand to pursue dialogue to resolve their border tensions while holding talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet on Monday, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

At the event, which took place as both prime ministers co-chaired the inauguration of an international border gate on the Vietnam-Cambodia border, Chinh urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise restraint, respect each other's legitimate interests, and adhere to their peace agreements, according to the report.

He affirmed that Vietnam is closely monitoring the situation and will continue contributing to peaceful solutions.

Chinh emphasized that long-term stability serves the best interests of both Cambodia and Thailand and is essential for ASEAN solidarity as well as for regional peace, cooperation and development.