Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting rages for second day, Asia News
Thailand's military reported clashes from before dawn in the Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces and said Cambodia had used artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems. Authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on the Thai side.
"Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems," the Thai military said in a statement.
"Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation."
Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on Thursday at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209 km apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.
Reuters journalists in Surin province reported hearing intermittent bursts of explosions on Friday, amid a heavy presence of armed Thai soldiers along roads and gas stations in the largely agrarian area.
A Thai military convoy, including around a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks, cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields and moved toward the border.
The fighting erupted on Thursday just hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh the previous night and expelled Cambodia's envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia has dismissed that as baseless. Death toll rises
The Thai death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of them civilians, according to the health ministry. It said 46 people were wounded, including 15 soldiers.
Cambodia's national government has not provided details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians. A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest clashes.
Meth Meas Pheakdey, spokesperson for the provincial administration of Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, said one civilian had been killed and five were wounded, with 1,500 families evacuated.
Thailand had positioned six F-16 fighter jets on Thursday in a rare combat deployment, one of which was mobilised to strike a Cambodian military target, among measures Cambodia called "reckless and brutal military aggression".
Thailand's use of an F-16 underlines its military advantage over Cambodia, which has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies
The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution".
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Thailand and Cambodia are members, said he had spoken to leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful way out.
"I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward. Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate this process in the spirit of Asean unity and shared responsibility," he said in a social media post late on Thursday.
[[nid:720588]]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
18 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Truce between Cambodia and Thailand secured under Asean chair Malaysia, but can it hold?
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Deal reflects Asean's reliance on external pressure and proactive chairmanship rather than robust institutional mechanisms, say observers. (From left) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai after a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 28. SINGAPORE – Asean notched a diplomatic win on July 28, with chair Malaysia securing a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia after deadly border clashes left more than 30 dead and raised fears of further escalation. The breakthrough, announced after a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is victory for the grouping, whose relevance has been increasingly questioned amid inaction on other regional challenges. But observers say that whether this will translate into lasting peace remains far from certain. The conflict had simmered since May, with deadly clashes erupting since July 24 t hat killed over 30 people, mostly civilians. Just hours before the ceasefire took effect at midnight on July 29, diplomatic pressure intensified, led by Malaysia and strongly backed by both the United States and China. The t alks were hastened after US President Donald Trump warned on July 27 that Washington would not pursue trade deals with either side until the violence stopped. Both Thailand and Cambodia face the prospect of a 36 per cent US tariff from Aug 1. China also played an active role. Beijing on July 24 expressed concern over the fighting and pledged to promote dialogue, de-escalation and peace. Both the US and China were present at the July 28 meeting, which Malaysia said was co-organised by Washington, with Beijing's active participation. Analysts say the agreement reflects a successful case of Asean-led diplomacy, but also highlights the grouping's reliance on external pressure and proactive chairmanship rather than robust institutional mechanisms. Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at business consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore, said that the ceasefire can be billed an Asean success. 'Malaysia's leadership was crucial as the organisation's chair to mediate between Thailand and Cambodia, while also leveraging on the importance of China and the US, both dialogue partners of Asean, to further reaffirm that this ceasefire can be brought into fruition,' he said. Under the agreement, both sides committed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The peace roadmap also includes informal meetings between military commanders, and a g eneral b order c ommittee session scheduled for Aug 4. Malaysia, in its capacity as Asean chair, offered to coordinate an observer team and consult fellow member states about participating, a move aimed at providing regional support for verification. But experts caution that implementation may prove difficult, given the grouping's lack of enforcement tools. 'A ceasefire is an immediate and very short-term solution. What is more important is for the ceasefire to hold in the long run while Cambodia and Thailand negotiate their border disputes,' said Dr Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute think-tank. 'One possible mechanism is the deployment of Malaysia n or Asean observers along the Thai-Cambodia border. This is critical, given the strategic mistrust between (the two sides).' Observers note that Asean lacks a standing peacekeeping force or formal verification tools. Previous attempts to introduce monitoring mechanisms, such as Indonesia's proposal to send observers during the 2011 Preah Vihear clashes, were rejected, primarily over sovereignty concerns. That earlier conflict between Cambodia and Thailand also ended in a ceasefire, but tensions persisted for years. 'The biggest risks lie in lingering distrust and potential miscommunication along contested border areas, and the absence of any formal verification mechanism,' said Ms Joanne Lin, senior fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 'Asean does not have institutional tools like independent observers or peace monitors to oversee implementation on the ground.' These limitations raise broader questions about how Asean handles internal conflict. Some experts warn that without follow-up action, the grouping may revert to inaction once the immediate crisis fades. 'The outcome was driven largely by Malaysia's personal diplomacy and strong external pressure, rather than any institutional mechanism within Asean,' said Ms Lin, referring to the ceasefire. 'Without efforts to institutionalise these crisis response lessons, the group risks falling back into passivity.' Dr Rahman echoed this, saying the group has the capacity to maintain peace – if political will exists. But he added that an Asean-led ceasefire is more acceptable than one imposed by external powers, and said the grouping has provided its two conflicting members with a familiar platform to discuss a ceasefire and resolve the crisis. Others also framed the breakthrough as a significant win for Malaysia's diplomacy. Mr Adib Zalkapli, managing director of geopolitical consultancy Viewfinder Global Affairs, said that it showed how Malaysia can step up and play an important role in maintaining peace in the region. Domestically, the deal may also offer a brief political boost to Datuk Seri Anwar. 'Anwar of course scores some brownie points in brokering this peace that could potentially offset some of his domestic political troubles,' said Dr Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at think-tank Singapore Institute of International Affairs. Still, observers agree the coming weeks will determine whether the ceasefire holds and whether Asean can rise to the challenge of sustaining peace. 'While holding the talks can be seen as a success, there will not be easy solutions to this long-standing issue,' said Dr Bridget Welsh, honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia. For a group long criticised for its inaction on crises like Myanmar and the South China Sea, the truce offers a chance to prove its relevance and if it can maintain the momentum. 'The real test now lies in verifying the ceasefire and whether Asean can follow through with implementing its own peace mechanisms,' said Ms Lin. The ceasefire, as much of a win as it is, is a fragile one because ground realities suggest that it could readily break down, said Dr Mustafa. 'So it is incumbent on the political leaderships of both Cambodia and Thailand to maintain the ceasefire by not succumbing to domestic political pressures, and on Malaysia as the honest broker to remind both countries about their bilateral obligations in keeping the peace,' he said.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Trump says he is reducing 50 day deadline for Russia on war in Ukraine
TURNBERRY, Scotland - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he was reducing the 50-day deadline he gave Russia over its war in Ukraine, underscoring his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin for prolonging fighting between the two countries. "I'm disappointed in President Putin," Trump said, speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of their meeting in Scotland. "I'm going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number because I think I already know the answer what's going to happen." He did not give a new deadline. Trump set the 50-day deadline earlier this month. The U.S. president has repeatedly voiced exasperation with Putin for continuing attacks on Ukraine despite U.S. efforts to end the war. Before returning to the White House in January, Trump, who views himself as a peacemaker, had promised to end the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict within 24 hours. Trump has threatened new sanctions on Russia and buyers of its exports unless an agreement is reached by early September. But the president, who has also expressed annoyance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has not always followed up on his tough talk about Putin with action, citing what he deems a good relationship that the two men have had previously. "We thought we had that settled numerous times, and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever," Trump said. "And I say that's not the way to do it." REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
EU Commission discusses curbs on Israel research funding amid Gaza pressure
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Palestinians gather at the site of an overnight Israeli air strike on a house, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed/File Photo BRUSSELS - European Commissioners will on Monday discuss a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Multiple EU countries said last week that Israel was not living up to its commitments under an agreement with the European Union on increasing aid supplies to Gaza and asked the Commission to put concrete options on the table. The proposal was mentioned in a published agenda of Monday's meeting of the College of Commissioners, the top decision-making body of the European Union's executive. But the Commission has not explained it in detail. EU and Israeli officials had no immediate comment on the proposal. Israel has been participating in the EU's research programs since 1996, taking part in thousands of joint research projects over the past decades. Earlier this month, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Israel had agreed to expand humanitarian access to Gaza, including increasing the number of aid trucks, crossing points and routes to distribution hubs. But in a tense meeting of European ambassadors in Brussels last week, countries including France, the Netherlands and Spain said not enough was being done, according to diplomats. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Thailand, Cambodia agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: BCA to conduct independent probe, act against any non-compliance Singapore Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation Singapore COE quota up 2.6% to 18,701 for August-October period Business SIA's first-quarter profits fall by 59%; airline group sees volatile times ahead Singapore Ong Beng Seng set to plead guilty on Aug 4 in case linked to ex-transport minister Iswaran Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose Earlier this month, EU officials presented a list of options that the bloc could pursue to put pressure on Israel but the bloc has so far refrained from pursuing any of them. Israel on Sunday announced a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and new aid corridors, while Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have airdropped supplies into the enclave. But officials and aid groups remain concerned and say much more needs to be done to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. REUTERS
