The armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has continued for the third day, expanding across the eastern border of Thailand adjacent to western Cambodia. Simultaneously, there are movements to create a peaceful atmosphere, as both countries have tentatively agreed to a ceasefire.
According to the Ministry of National Defense of Thailand on the 26th (local time), at around 5:10 a.m. that day, Cambodian forces invaded Thailand's Trat Province, resulting in a skirmish. The Thai navy immediately responded and repelled the attack. Cambodia also claimed that the Thai military had shelled in Battambang Province.
In this conflict, 14 civilians and 6 soldiers have died in Thailand, with more than 60 injured. On the Cambodian side, 8 civilians and 5 soldiers have died, and 70 have been injured. AFP reported that "the number of casualties exceeds the 28 major combat casualties from the border disputes of 2008 to 2011."
As tensions escalate, both countries have also begun discussions on a ceasefire. Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, noted on social media that he agrees with the ceasefire proposal from Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, which is this year's chair of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and that he heard Thailand has also agreed. However, he added that about an hour later, the Thai side reversed its position, expressing regret over the situation.
The Thai side stated that it tentatively agrees to the ceasefire plan and will review it, but the ceasefire must be based on "appropriate ground conditions." Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Marit Sang-ngiamphong, said, "Thailand will not be the first to cease military actions," adding, "Cambodia must first halt hostile actions."
As the conflict spreads, thousands of Cambodian migrant workers who were working in Thailand have flocked to Thailand's eastern Chonburi Province, bordering Cambodia, to apply for repatriation. According to the Cambodian government, there were about 1.2 million Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand as of last year.
The area where this skirmish occurred is located about 250 kilometers southwest from the northern Cambodia-eastern Thailand region where battles have previously taken place. Authorities in Trat Province have reportedly issued evacuation orders to residents near the skirmish site.
The Thai military reported that clashes also occurred in Sa Kaeo Province in eastern Thailand that day. Skirmishes took place in 6 out of the 7 Thai provinces adjacent to the Cambodian border. The day before, Thai military authorities declared martial law in 8 regions of Trat Province and central Chonburi Province.