5 days ago
Thai-Cambodian border clash enters third day
TRAT - The Thai-Cambodian border clash has entered its third day, with renewed fighting erupting in Ban Chamrak, Muang district, early on Saturday morning.
According to the Trat Marine Task Force, Cambodian forces encroached on three locations within Thai territory at 5.10am. The Royal Thai Navy responded swiftly and pushed back the Cambodian positions by 5.40am.
Residents near Banthat Mountain, bordering Cambodia to the east, reported hearing artillery fire from 5am onwards. A monk from Rai Pa temple in tambon Noen Sai shared on Facebook that he saw firing lights floating above the mountains. 'We were running away, but saw Thai soldiers heading toward it,' he said.
On Friday, the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defence Command extended martial law in Trat and Chanthaburi provinces.
Trat governor Natthaphong Sanguanjit said evacuations were ordered for residents near the border Muang district, Bo Rai and Khlong Yai districts.
The evacuees, including the elderly, children, bedridden and hospital patients, were moved to 10 designated shelters in safe zones.
Among those relocated from tambon Laem Klat were Cambodian migrant workers, whose mobile phones were confiscated for safety reasons, said mayor Kittipong Yula-or, who oversees one shelter.
An emergency meeting on Friday identified Ban Chamrak as a key area where Cambodian troops were reportedly advancing.
Khlong Yai, 11 kilometres from Cambodia's Koh Kong, was also noted as a site where forces had established positions.
