Thailand Warns of Possible War with Cambodia as Border Clashes Escalate, 138,000 Flee

Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has issued a stark warning that escalating border clashes with Cambodia could spiral into full-scale war, as intense fighting entered a second day and forced the evacuation of over 138,000 people from Thai border towns.

The long-simmering territorial dispute reignited violently on Thursday, with both sides deploying fighter jets, tanks, artillery, and ground troops. The sound of heavy shelling continued into Friday, with artillery fire clearly audible from Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, where local authorities reported the death of a 70-year-old civilian and injuries to five others.

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed 15 fatalities, including 14 civilians and one soldier, while 46 others — among them 15 Thai troops — sustained injuries.

“We have done our utmost to exercise restraint and resolve this diplomatically. But we have now instructed the Thai military to respond decisively if the situation demands,” Prime Minister Wechayachai told reporters in Bangkok.

“If this continues unchecked, it could escalate into war. As of now, we are still referring to it as cross-border clashes — but we are prepared for any scenario.”

According to the Thai military, fighting resumed in three border zones early Friday, around 4:00 a.m. local time (2100 GMT Thursday). Cambodian forces reportedly launched BM-21 rocket systems, heavy artillery, and field guns, to which Thai troops responded with what was described as “appropriate supporting fire.”

The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency session scheduled for later Friday, amid growing international concerns that the conflict could destabilize the Southeast Asian region.

Diplomatic sources say both countries have traded accusations over troop incursions and military buildups in disputed territories — the same flashpoints that sparked hostilities over a decade ago, near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site claimed by both sides.

Regional observers and humanitarian agencies are warning of a looming crisis if hostilities persist, especially as tens of thousands remain displaced along the volatile frontier.