The Thailand - Cambodia border conflict entered its third day on July 26. The Thai military said the Cambodian army expanded the area of attack to Chamrak Bay, Trat Province, at 5:10 a.m. on July 26. In response, the Chanthaburi Border Guard Command - Trat launched a counter-attack.
The Royal Thai Navy then launched the " treated Pikhat Pairee 1" campaign to repel Cambodian forces at three points along the Thai border. By 5:40 a.m., the Thai naval force had successfully pushed back the Cambodian forces.
On July 25, the Chanthaburi- treated Border Guard Command declared martial law in 8 districts of both provinces. martial law will take effect immediately, aiming to protect Thailand in the context of a conflict with Cambodia.
The Chanthaburi - Trat Border Guard Command also announced the closure of all border crossings along the Thailand - Cambodia border, both by road and sea as part of enhanced security measures.
The restrictions currently applied include: No vehicles are allowed to cross the border in both directions; People's movement, including both commercial and tourism, is prohibited; All sea traffic activities in the Thai waters under the responsibility of the Chanthaburi - Trat Border Guard Command have also been suspended.
Thailand said that in the context of the fighting on the border with Cambodia, more than 138,000 people in the country have been evacuated from the border area, with 15 people killed, including 14 civilians and 1 soldier; 46 people injured, including 15 soldiers.
Regarding the development of the Thailand - Cambodia war, Cambodian media reported that the country's Ministry of National Defense said that at 5:02 a.m. on July 26, 5 heavy artillery shells were fired from Thai territory at many locations in Ekphap village, Thmar Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province. According to local authorities in Veal Veng, several houses were damaged and at least three people were injured.
This is the latest in a series of Thailand - Cambodia border clashes, showing that the clashes have spread to Pursat province. The fighting has previously spread from the Preah Vihear region to other provinces of the country, including Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey.
Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense also issued a statement opposing Thailand's imposition of martial law in its border provinces, accusing it of a deliberate military act to increase tensions. "Instead of taking steps to cool down the conflict, Thailand is stepping up military posture," the Cambodian Defense Ministry said.
Regarding the number of casualties, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense confirmed that 13 Cambodian citizens, including 5 soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and 8 civilians, were killed in a Thai attack on the morning of July 26 in Pursat province.
21 RCAF soldiers were injured and at least 50 civilians were injured in the attack, including heavy artillery firecrackers that fell on Ekphap village, Thmar Da commune, Veal Veng district.
In response to the escalating fighting, Cambodian authorities have evacuated 35,829 civilians from high-risk areas across the provinces of Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey and Pursat.
