Thailand National Television (NBT) quoted a source from the Thai military as saying that gunshots continued to ring in the Thai - Cambodian border area in the early morning of July 27.
NBT said that Cambodia has been firing shots towards Thailand since early morning in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province. At 6:40 a.m., artillery shells from Cambodia fell on a residential area in Surin province, causing fire and damage to many houses. There have been no reports of casualties. Because the shelling situation was still spreading, the authorities could not reach the scene to fully verify.
Tensions at the border in Surin province began at around 4:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m., when gunfire was heard from Cambodia firing at the Tawai Khwai pagoda area in Thailand. The gunfire continued from both sides and spread to the Chong Chom area.
At around 5:30 a.m., heavy artillery from Cambodia, believed to be similar to the BM-21 type, fired into Thai territory. Thailand responded with heavy fire. As of 7am, the sound of firecrackers was still scattered.
The shooting on the morning of July 27 took place after a phone call last night between US President Donald Trump and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Acting Prime Minister of Thailand Phumtham Wechayachai. Mr. Trump said that the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia agreed to meet immediately to quickly reach a ceasefire agreement.
Previously, on July 26, Thailand and Cambodia used artillery to attack each other at many points from early morning.
Thailand Military Region 2 warns people about the risk of Cambodia using a PHL-03 rocket launcher with a range of 130km. Cambodia has denied using the weapon.
Thailand announced the capture of Phu Makkheua peak and launched a naval campaign in Trat province early on July 26. Cambodia accused Thailand of shelling Pursat province, which borders Trat province.
Cambodia said Thailand sent eight warships near the maritime border in southern Cambodia.
Thailand said 28 BM-21 rockets were fired at Buriram province on July 26. In the afternoon, Thailand sent two JAS 39 Gripen fighters and two F-16 fighters to attack targets along the border twice. The Royal Thai Air Force announced a successful air campaign. The air targets were Cambodian artillery sites.
Meanwhile, Cambodia accused Thailand of attacking remote villages located deep in Cambodia, destroying temples and non-military sites, causing casualties to civilians. Thailand denied it, saying it was only attacking military targets.
Nearly 200,000 Thais have been displaced. The Thai government has urged people to leave the border at least 120km away.
