Thailand-Cambodia border crisis: Thai PM vows to continue military operations as civilian exodus mounts

Surin: Cambodia's influential Senate President Hun Sen vowed on Tuesday a fierce response against Thailand as a second day of intense border clashes displaced tens of thousands of civilians from frontier zones.

Combat erupted after a Sunday skirmish injured two Thai soldiers, shattering the July ceasefire that had halted five days of deadly fighting over territorial claims, which killed dozens and forced over 100,000 evacuations.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated Tuesday that Cambodia had not sought talks, insisting, "We've got to do what we've got to do." He affirmed government backing for planned military operations to protect sovereignty and safety.

Hun Sen posted on Facebook and Telegram that Cambodia held fire Monday but retaliated overnight, writing, "Cambodia wants peace, but Cambodia is forced to fight back to defend its territory." The former long-serving prime minister, now de facto leader, directed forces to destroy enemy positions.

Thailand reported Cambodian artillery, rocket, and drone assaults on Tuesday, while Cambodia announced seven civilian deaths and 20 wounded; Thailand confirmed three soldiers killed.

Thailand conducted Monday airstrikes on Cambodian military sites, termed defensive, with spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri vowing continuation "until attacks stop."

Over 3,600 Thais sheltered at a Surin university, receiving rice and meals amid army band performances; cassava farmer Pan-ngam Kanchangthong recounted fleeing shelling in panic. Thailand established nearly 500 shelters for 125,838 evacuees across four provinces.

Cambodia evacuated nearly 55,000, per Information Minister Neth Pheaktra, with numbers rising.

Centuries-old rivalry persists over an 800-kilometre border dotted with coveted ancient temples; Cambodia accused Thai forces of damaging Ta Krabey temple, while Thailand alleged rocket attacks on Surin—claims unverified independently.

The Malaysia-brokered July truce, enforced by US President Donald Trump's trade threats, faltered amid propaganda wars and skirmishes. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged adherence to the October Kuala Lumpur pledges.

Persistent disputes include Thailand holding 18 Cambodian prisoners captured on ceasefire day, denied as threatening by Phnom Penh, and mutual accusations over new land mines amid Cambodia's civil war legacy.

With inputs from AP