A long-running border dispute erupted into combat this week with jets, tanks and ground troops battling in the rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice.
Thailand says seven of its soldiers and 13 civilians have been killed as of Sunday, while Cambodia has confirmed eight civilian and five military deaths.
The conflict has forced more than 138,000 people to be evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, and 80,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia.
A total of 138,152 people in Thailand are currently staying in shelters across six provinces: Surin, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Trat, Sa Kaeo, and Buriram.
Sisaket has the highest number of displaced individuals, with 62,691 people seeking refuge there.
After an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday in New York, Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted “an immediate ceasefire” and a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
UN chief Antonio Guterres urged both sides on Saturday to “immediately agree to a ceasefire” and hold talks to find a lasting solution.
Malaysia, as the chair of ASEAN, on Saturday reiterated its call to both sides to exercise maximum restraint and undertake an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire”.
“We further urge both sides to return to the negotiating table to restore peace and stability based on the spirit of ASEAN family, unity and good neighbourliness,” said foreign minister Mohamad.
“We stand ready to continue our work through the good offices of the ASEAN Chair in facilitating both immediate neighbours and fellow members of ASEAN to resume talks and end the fighting.”
Earlier on Thursday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken to both countries’ leaders and urged them to find a peaceful resolution.
As well as blaming each other for starting the fight, Cambodia has also accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals.
The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours over their shared 800-km border where dozens of kilometres are contested.
