By Jintamas Saksornchai
Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed in several areas along their border Thursday in a major escalation of their conflict that left at least 12 people dead, mostly civilians. The two sides fired small arms, artillery and rockets, and Thailand also launched airstrikes.
Fighting took place in at least six areas along the border, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said. The trigger for the clashes was a mine explosion along the border Wednesday that wounded five Thai soldiers and led Bangkok to withdraw its ambassador to Cambodia and expel Cambodia’s.
The fighting was a rare example of open military conflict between member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation. However, it is not unprecedented, as Thailand has tangled with Cambodia before over the border, and has had sporadic skirmishes with western neighbor Myanmar.
Each side claims the other started the fighting
Thailand and Cambodia blamed each other for the fighting Thursday, and alleged
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