According to Thai Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, at least 11 civilians and 1 soldier were killed in the Thailand - Cambodia conflict on July 24.
Meanwhile, Cambodia has not informed about the country's casualties.
Tensions flared up after a mine explosion on the afternoon of July 23, in the Huai Bon area of Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province, causing Sergeant Pichitchai Boonkorat of the Thai border patrol to lose his right leg. The blast occurred at around 4:55 p.m. local time and the injured soldiers were evacuated just over 20 minutes later.
Intelligence information from the Thai Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the mine was a new type placed at the scene. In this situation, the Thai government has ordered the closure of all border gates under the management of Military Region 2, temporarily suspending all tourism activities at these points.
At 7:35 a.m. on July 24, a shooting occurred at the Ta Muen Thom temple area between Surin province of Thailand and Oddar Meanchey province in northern Cambodia.
The Thai Military Region 2 said Cambodia fired at Thailand's Moo Pa military base at 8:20 a.m. Cambodia fires towards the temple at 8:50.
The Thai military said that at 9:40 a.m., Cambodia used BM-21 rocket artillery to fire into Thai territory. Thailand then deployed 6 F-16 fighter jets to bomb 2 military targets of Cambodia.
On July 24, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet sent a letter requesting the United Nations Security Council to convene an emergency meeting. Hun Manet called on Thailand to end all hostile acts, withdraw troops towards its borders and curb any provincecial acts that could escalate the situation.
For his part, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said that the Thai government called on Cambodia to stop attacks on military and civilian targets.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed concern about the Thailand - Cambodia border conflict, saying he will talk to the leaders of the two countries later in the day.
"The minimum thing we can expect from them is to withdraw and hope that we will try to enter the negotiation table," Anwar told reporters.
Malaysia is currently the ASEAN Chair, a body to which Thailand and Cambodia are both members.
At a regular press conference of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 24, spokesperson Guo Zhaocken emphasized: "China hopes that both sides can resolve the issue successfully through dialogue and consultation".
Mr. Quach Gia Khon reaffirmed Beijing's stance as "fair and carefree". "We have and will continue to promote peace and encourage dialogue in our own way, playing a constructive role in lowering the situation," he added.
