Thailand, Cambodia border battle expands on 2nd day of clashes

Fighting spreads to new fronts; both sides accuse each other of shelling civilian areas

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Siem Reap province resting inside a temple after they were evacuated from their homes following clashes along the Thailand-Cambodia-Thailand border. Fighting broke out in new locations on Dec 9 along the 817km border. Both countries said they have evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from border areas.

(PHOTO: AFP)

A fierce border battle between Thailand and Cambodia raged for a second day and spread to new fronts on Dec 9, as both countries accused each other of shelling civilian areas and Bangkok vowed to push on with its planned military operations.

With the neighbours trading blame for starting Dec 8's renewed clashes, it was unclear how or if a fragile ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump in July could be salvaged.

Thailand's military said its tanks fired shells into a border casino complex being used by Cambodia's army as a firing position and weapons storage area, while fighter jets conducted air strikes for a second day on what the air force said were strategic military targets.

Cambodia's Defence Ministry said its troops had no choice but to take defensive action on Dec 9 and accused Thailand of "indiscriminately and brutally targeting civilian residential areas" with artillery shells, allegations Bangkok rejected.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ruled out dialogue and said the military had a plan that it would carry out in full.

"We can't stop now. We have already given our commitment to the armed forces that they can fully carry out the planned operations. The government is providing support in every way," Mr Anutin told reporters.