Thailand, Cambodia skirmish aggravates

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as border fighting intensified and spread, while Cambodia’s leader said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down.

At least 20 people have been killed and more than 1,30,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years.

Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict and on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric. Thailand accused Cambodia of deliberately attacking civilians and Cambodia condemned Thailand for using cluster munitions, controversial and widely condemned. Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said Cambodia had attacked on multiple fronts.

“The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it’s a confrontation involving heavy weapons,” he told reporters.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a social media post that he had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, who had informed him that Phumtham had also agreed.

“However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed that they had reversed their position,” Hun Manet said.

Thailand late on Friday said it agreed in principle with the idea of a ceasefire and would consider it, but that it must be based on “appropriate on-the-ground conditions”.

"Throughout the day, Cambodian forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks," the Thai foreign ministry said in a post on X.