Thailand declares martial law along Cambodia border

Thailand has declared martial law in eight border districts following two days of deadly clashes with Cambodian forces, raising fears of a broader conflict as tensions surge over a long-standing territorial dispute.

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Friday warned that the fighting, which has already displaced more than 130,000 people, “could develop into war” if the situation continues to escalate.

“We have tried to compromise as we are neighbours,” Phumtham said during a press briefing in Bangkok. “But we have now instructed the Thai military to act immediately in case of urgency. If the situation escalates, it could develop into war — though for now, it remains limited to clashes.”

Hostilities flared early Thursday, with both sides deploying artillery, tanks, fighter jets, and ground troops. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session later Friday to address the crisis.

Thailand’s military announced the imposition of martial law Friday evening, citing “Cambodia’s use of force to enter Thai territory” as the reason for the move. The eight affected districts lie along the contested border between the two countries.

On the Cambodian side, officials in Oddar Meanchey province reported ongoing artillery fire and confirmed the death of a 70-year-old civilian, with five others injured. Thailand’s health ministry said 138,000 residents have been evacuated from the border region, with 15 people — including 14 civilians and one soldier — confirmed dead and at least 46 injured.

According to the Thai army, renewed fighting broke out in three areas around 4:00 a.m. Friday (2100 GMT Thursday). Cambodian forces reportedly launched attacks using field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems, prompting Thai troops to return fire “with appropriate supporting fire.”

The border dispute, rooted in decades-old territorial claims, has erupted into conflict several times in the past, but the scale and intensity of the latest clashes have raised alarm across the region and among international observers.