9 Cambodian Civilians Killed In Border Fighting, Thai Military Imposes Curfew In 4 Districts | World News

Phnom Penh/Bangkok: Nine Cambodian civilians were killed and 46 civilians were injured as of 12:00 pm in the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said on Wednesday.

More than 127,000 Cambodian people have fled their homes near the Thai border to find safe shelter, he said in a Facebook post.

The Thai army fired two artillery shells at a primary school in Banteay Meanchey province on Wednesday afternoon, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense said in a press release, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Also on Wednesday, the Thai military announced that it would impose a curfew in four border areas of Sa Kaeo province, effective immediately.

In the official statement made by the army, it was stated that the curfew was imposed to protect public order, security and stability in the region, as well as to protect the residents of the region from external threats. Four district residents are not allowed to go out between 19:00 and 05:00 local time the next day.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory on Wednesday, urging Thai citizens to consider leaving Cambodia unless they have a significant reason to stay, and urging those without basic needs to avoid traveling to Cambodia at this time.

There are currently approximately 600 to 1,200 Thai citizens in Cambodia, according to the ministry.

The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict flared up again on Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused each other of launching the attack and confirmed there were casualties.

Meanwhile, more than 100,000 Cambodian villagers have fled their homes for safe areas as a border conflict with Thailand enters its fourth day, a Cambodian defense spokesman said on Wednesday.

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, said at a press conference that the total number of displaced persons was 101,129, including infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and the disabled.

He said the Thai military used heavy and destructive weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, to attack Cambodia’s military positions and civilian areas from Sunday afternoon to Wednesday morning.