Thailand accuses Cambodia of purposely killing civilians

Relations between two countries plummet after 12 people die in the deadliest clashes since 2011, writes Shweta Sharma

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Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai has accused Cambodian forces of deliberately targeting civilian areas after 12 people were killed in border clashes. The southeast Asian neighbours exchanged fire across several disputed zones along their 817km (508 mile) land border, in the deadliest clashes since 2011.

Thailand’s health minister said 11 civilians and a soldier were killed in fighting across Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket provinces. Cambodia was yet to declare any losses.

The Thai army said it flew F-16 fighter planes to bomb two military targets in Cambodia. “We have used air power against military targets as planned,” army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon said. The Cambodian defence ministry said the Thai planes had dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, close to the border.

The Thai military said Cambodian troops deployed heavy weapons, including BM-21 rocket launchers, and fired into a civilian area in Kab Choeng district, causing damage to homes, a hospital and a petrol station.

Cambodia in turn accused the Thai army of firing artillery and said Thai soldiers had “preemptively” opened fire on its troops.