Thousands of people have been evacuated from either side of the border, while fighting has left at least 16 people dead
Cambodia wants an “immediate ceasefire” with Thailand, the country’s envoy to the United Nations has said, with Bangkok also signalling an openness to talks after two days of deadly clashes that have left 15 dead and thousands displaced.
“Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire – unconditionally – and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,” said UN ambassador Chhea Keo, after a closed meeting of the Council attended by Cambodia and Thailand.
A steady thump of artillery strikes could be heard from the Cambodian side of the border on Friday, after a day earlier a long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops, prompting the UN security council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis.
More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, its health ministry said, reporting 15 fatalities – 14 civilians and a soldier – with a further 46 wounded, including 15 troops.
