Clashes continue for a second day on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Overnight, Cambodian troops fired several times on Thai soldiers at various locations, including using artillery and heavy weapons, Asian media reported on Friday.
The shelling resumed at 4:30 a.m. local time. The first shots were fired by Cambodian troops near the Preah Vihear temple. Later, the Thai army reported the approach of vehicles, believed to be Cambodian tanks.
Authorities in Oddar Meanchey province said that a Thai air strike in Cambodia killed the abbot of Wat Ta Moan Sen Chey temple, located on the border with Thailand, and injured five other people. All of the victims were local residents caught in crossfire.
In connection with the escalation between Thailand and Cambodia, the UN Security Council will hold a meeting. It will begin at 15:00 and will be held behind closed doors. The meeting was convened in response to a request from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who appealed to the international community to intervene in the situation after a series of military clashes between the two neighbouring countries.
On July 24, armed clashes involving aircraft and artillery broke out on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. To date, more than ten people have been killed and dozens wounded, including civilians. Both sides accuse each other of escalating the situation. Thailand has closed border crossings on its side. Cambodia responded by downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand, expelling the Thai ambassador and recalling its diplomats from the Thai embassy.
The source of tension on the Thai-Cambodian border remains the century-old dispute over the territory of the Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom temple complexes.
