Half a million flee as deadly Cambodia-Thailand border clashes escalate

Deadly fighting has continued along the disputed border of Cambodia and Thailand, as more than half a million people sheltered in evacuation centres.

At least 20 people have been killed and almost 200 injured in clashes that began on Sunday, the fiercest fighting since a five-day conflict in July.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said Thailand had launched further airstrikes on Thursday, accusing its neighbour of violating international laws by using “all kinds of heavy weapons and deploying large number of troops to encroach the Cambodian territory”.

The Thai army said Cambodia launched an attack on Wednesday night with artillery and mortars against Thai positions, prompting it to respond with the same kinds of heavy weapons and causing damage including “the destruction of enemy trucks”.

This week’s clashes are the deadliest since five days of fighting in July that killed dozens before Trump helped broker a ceasefire, using the threat of tariffs to pile pressure on both sides. Cambodia and Thailand each accuse the other of violating the peace deal.

In Washington, Trump told reporters he was due to call the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday, and predicted he could settle the hostilities “pretty quickly”.

“I think I can get them to stop fighting. Who else can do that?” Trump said on Wednesday.

The US, China and Malaysia, as chair of the regional bloc Asean, brokered a ceasefire back in July, and six weeks ago Trump presided over the signing of an enhanced agreement.

But Thailand suspended the agreement the following month after a Thai soldier was wounded by a landmine. Thailand alleged the landmine had been newly laid by Cambodia – an allegation it has denied.

Political instability in Thailand may complicate future negotiations. On Thursday night,the prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said on social media that he was “returning power to the people”, with reports suggesting he has requested the dissolution of parliament – a move that would pave way for elections within 45-60 days.

Analysts say that, with a vote looming, Anutin may try to present himself as a strong nationalist prepared to take a tough stance on the border conflict.

Displaced Thai villagers wait for food distribution at a school. Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA

Thailand’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura, told reporters on Wednesday that the fighting would eventually end through talks, but now was not the time for dialogue.

“If any third country wants to mediate, Thailand can’t accept that at this stage because the line has been crossed,” he said. “Thai citizens have been killed and we need to ensure there is enough trust before talks can begin.”

More than 400,000 civilians in Thailand have been evacuated to shelters, according to a defence ministry spokesperson.

Visut Krimsilp, 47, who was among dozens of people sheltering at a local government building in Ubon Ratchathani province, said she simply wanted the authorities to find a way to end the conflict.

“Whatever it takes, [just] push through to the end,” she said. People were living with constant fear of the conflict hanging over them, she added.

Cambodian evacuees carry relief items at a safe zone in Siem Reap. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock

Duenpen Saowiang, 33, a village health volunteer whose area had also been evacuated, said: “When we go to work, when our children go to school, we worry about what will happen. It has a great effect on us.”

In Cambodia, more than 101,000 people had been evacuated to shelters and relatives’ homes, the defence ministry spokesperson, Maly Socheata, told reporters.

Cambodia’s interior ministry gave an updated death toll of 10 civilians. Maly earlier said an infant was among those killed.

Cambodia withdrew on Wednesday from the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, citing safety concerns for its athletes.

The combat has drawn international concern, including from Pope Leo XIV, who told an audience at the Vatican on Wednesday that he was “deeply saddened by the news of the renewed conflict”.

“There have been casualties, including among civilians, and thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes,” the pontiff said. “I express my closeness in prayer to these dear peoples.”