Thailand and Cambodia trade accusations as death toll rises

Thailand and Cambodia traded accusations on Saturday of fresh attacks as deadly border clashes entered a third day, leaving at least 33 people dead and more than 168,000 displaced, as international pressure mounted on both sides to reach a ceasefire.

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Artillery fire and gunshots were reported near several border villages, expanding the area of the fighting that flared again on Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Cambodian and Thai officials claimed to have acted in retaliation.

Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its northeastern border crossings with Cambodia.

Cambodian authorities reported on Saturday 12 new deaths, bringing its toll to 13, while Thai officials said a soldier was killed, raising the deaths to 20, mostly civilians.

The regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is under growing pressure to defuse the situation between its two members.

During an emergency meeting on Friday, members of the UN Security Council called for deescalation and urged ASEAN to mediate a peaceful solution.