The Thailand-Cambodia border war could escalate into a war, Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned on July 25.
"We have made efforts to make sacrifices because we are neighbors, but we have now instructed the Thai military to act immediately in an emergency," said Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
The Acting Prime Minister also said that the fighting has affected the lives of the people and the Thai government has "protected our country and sovereignty".
Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai's comments were made as the death toll in Thailand on the second day of the border war with Cambodia increased to 16.
On the same day, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said that although the US, China and Malaysia have all proposed to facilitate dialogue, Bangkok is not seeking external intervention at this time. I dont think we need any mediation from a third country, said Nikorndej.
We maintain the stance that the bilateral mechanism is the best solution, this is a confrontation between the two countries, the Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson added. He emphasized that the Cambodian side must first end violence along the border.
On July 24, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet spoke about border tensions with Thailand, calling on people to calm down and trust the country's armed forces. Mr. Hun Manet emphasized that Cambodia has always maintained its stance of wanting to resolve issues peacefully, but in this case, Cambodia has no choice but to use armed forces in response.
On July 25, the Cambodian Prime Minister's Office issued a statement with detailed information accusing Thailand of using cluster bombs in border fighting.
Previously, the Cambodian Mining and victim Support Agency (CMAA) accused Thailand of using cluster bombs on July 25 in Cambodia. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata confirmed that Thailand attacked 7 locations in Cambodia on July 25, using heavy weapons and F-16 bombers, accusing Thailand of using cluster bombs twice to attack the Khloch area at 5:25 a.m. and attacking the village of Techo Ngom, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province at 6:50 a.m.
Regarding the developments of the fighting on the ground on July 25, a Thai military official said that the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia took place at 12 locations along the border, showing the expansion of the fighting that broke out the day before.
Thailand military spokesman Surasant Kongsiri said that Cambodia continues to use heavy weapons in combat. The Thai military had previously reported clashes at six locations on July 24.
According to the Thai Ministry of Health, 138,013 civilians and 428 patients have been evacuated from the border area since the fighting broke out on July 24. Earlier, on July 24, Thailand announced that the number of evacuated civilians was more than 100,000.
More than 2,000 Cambodians have returned home through a checkpoint in Chanthaburi, Thailand. Although Thailand announced on July 24 that it would close all borders with Cambodia, the Chanthaburi border gate was temporarily opened for travel across the border from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.
