Thailand Declares Martial Law on Cambodia Border, PM Warns of ‘State of War’
Thailand declared martial law in eight districts along its border with Cambodia on Friday as fierce cross-border fighting stretched into a second day, prompting the Thai Prime Minister to warn that the escalating conflict could soon become a “full-fledged war.” The clashes, which have now claimed at least 16 lives and displaced over 100,000 people, represent the most serious confrontation between the Southeast Asian neighbors in more than a decade.
Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, stated on Friday that the conflict “could escalate into a state of war,” as the confrontation now involves heavy weapons. His warning came as both nations mobilized additional troops and kept fighter jets on standby.
The situation has deteriorated rapidly, with both sides exchanging heavy artillery and missile fire. Cambodia has accused Thailand of using banned cluster munitions within its territory, a charge that adds a grave dimension to the conflict.
On Thursday, Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike six military installations inside Cambodia after claiming that Cambodian forces had first shelled several Thai border towns. Both countries have dispatched additional infantry regiments to the border provinces, raising fears of a wider regional crisis as both sides reject calls for international arbitration.
Tensions have been simmering since a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border skirmish on May 28. The situation worsened on July 23 when a Thai soldier lost a leg to a landmine, which Bangkok blamed on Phnom Penh. Fighting erupted the following day near the contested Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, a historical flashpoint, leading to the current full-blown military exchange.
