Bangkok: Thousands of people were displaced and forced to flee along the Thai-Cambodian border after deadly clashes erupted between the two neighboring countries, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Thai authorities also closed nearly 1,000 schools in border areas across six provinces, with some converted into emergency shelter centers for the displaced. Since Monday, the renewed border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors have resulted in at least 10 deaths-seven civilians in Cambodia and three soldiers in Thailand.
Bangkok also reported injuries to 29 Thai soldiers, while 20 civilians were injured in Cambodia. Thai Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat said each center is fully equipped with bedding, food, drinking water, electricity, sanitation facilities, and designated areas for young children.
On the Cambodian side, local authorities established safe centers in the Preah Vihear province and relocated more than 1,500 families after clashes intensified. A video posted by daily Khmer Times on the US social media company X showed a family of two women and three children taking shelter in a drainage ditch.
The latest round of clashes began on Monday morning amid airstrikes by Thai F-16 jets after Bangkok accused Phnom Penh of a “border attack” which left one soldier dead.
