Thailand, Cambodia clash for 2nd day as border tensions rise

A fierce border battle between Thailand and Cambodia raged for a second day and spread to new fronts on Tuesday, as both countries accused each other of shelling civilian areas and Bangkok vowed to push on with its planned military operations.

With the neighbours trading blame for starting Monday's renewed clashes, it was unclear how or if a fragile ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump in July could be salvaged.

Thailand's military said its tanks fired shells into a border casino complex being used by the Cambodian army as a firing position and weapons storage area, while fighter jets conducted air strikes for a second day on what the air force said were strategic military targets.

Meanwhile, a top adviser to its Cambodia’s PM said the country was open to immediate bilateral talks with Thailand to bring a halt to a raging border conflict, on Tuesday.

Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul ruled out dialogue and said the military had a plan that it would carry out in full.

“We can't stop now. We've already given our commitment to the armed forces that they can fully carry out the planned operations,” Anutin said.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said he saw no potential for negotiations with Cambodia, adding the situation was not conducive to third-party mediation and Cambodia must stop hostilities.