Thai police used tear gas and rubber bullets against Cambodian civilians in a disputed border area on Wednesday, authorities in both countries said. This is the most serious escalation since July, when a ceasefire was declared after five days of armed conflict, „Reuters“ reported, quoted by News.bg.
According to Cambodia, at least 23 of its citizens were injured. The Thai military also confirmed casualties among its personnel, without specifying the number.
The incident occurred in a disputed settlement that Bangkok considers part of Ban Nong Ya Kaeo village in Sa Kaeo province, while Phnom Penh considers it part of Prey Chan in Banteay Meanchey province. Last month, Thai authorities erected barbed wire fences in the area, and protests have been held regularly on both sides of the border since then.
Cambodian Information Minister Net Phektra accused Thai forces of “crossing the border” and the use of “tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades against Cambodian civilians“.
For its part, the Thai army said its forces responded to provocations by about 200 Cambodian demonstrators who threw stones, sticks and fired slingshots at Thai officials.
The 817-km border between Thailand and Cambodia has been the subject of territorial disputes for more than a century, leading to periodic conflicts. The last major escalation was in July, when fighting killed at least 48 people and temporarily displaced hundreds of thousands. A ceasefire was agreed on July 28 in Malaysia, after which tensions eased until the new clashes this week.