UPDATES:
3:30 pm: Thai aircraft reportedly dropped two bombs in the Serei Saophoan area of Banteay Meanchey province around 2:30 pm, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or of what was targeted.
2:57 pm: Two people sustained minor injuries after a Thai F-16 fighter jet dropped bombs in Poipet city’s Phsar Kandal commune in Banteay Meanchey province on Thursday, according to Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak.
The target was a “warehouse owned by tycoon Vong Duong,” Sokhak said in a Facebook post, without providing further details.
12:40 pm: Thai F-16 fighter jets reportedly dropped two bombs in Poipet municipality in Banteay Meanchey province around 11:00 am Thursday, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense said. No official casualty figures have been reported.
“Cambodian forces will continue to stand strong, brave, and steadfast in their fight against the aggressors and remain vigilant in fulfilling their roles to protect the territorial integrity of Cambodia,” the ministry said.
The area has not previously been targeted in the renewed clashes, though other disputed areas along the Banteay Meanchey border have been flashpoints.
A Chinese special envoy will visit Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday for shuttle diplomacy aimed at promoting peace between the two countries.
The diplomatic push is Beijing’s first since clashes reignited between the countries earlier this month across their 817 km (508 mile) border and which have now entered 12 days.
“As a close neighbor and friend of Cambodia and Thailand, China closely follows the ongoing border conflict between the two countries and has [sic] shuttled between the two sides to promote peace,” said Deng Xijun, the envoy’s spokesperson, in a statement Wednesday.
“Through its own way,China has been working actively for deescalation,” he added.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense said Thursday that Thai forces have continued attacking areas in Banteay Meanchey and Pursat provinces overnight into Thursday morning.
Spokesperson Maly Socheata alleged that Thai forces deliberately struck civilian areas, causing deaths and injuries. She said they used F-16s, cluster munitions, “toxic gas,” bombing drones, and large troop deployments to encroach on Cambodian territory.
Touch Sokhak, a spokesperson for Cambodia’s Interior Ministry, said one civilian was killed on Wednesday, bringing the total civilian death toll to 18, with 79 injured by Thursday morning.
Thailand’s Defense Ministry disputed Cambodia’s claims in a press conference on Thursday.
“As of this morning, Cambodian forces continue their bombardment and shelling in the Hill 350 area near Ta Kwai Temple [Cambodia calls Ta Krabei] as well as other areas along the border,” spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri said, adding that the reported actions prompted retaliation from the Thai side.
Kongsiri said 19 Thai civilians had been killed and six others injured in the 12 days of fighting.
More than 40 people have reportedly died and over half a million displaced on both sides since clashes resumed this month.
