SURIN, Thailand — More than 100,000 civilians have fled intensifying border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, marking the deadliest fighting between the neighbors in a decade, Thai authorities reported Friday. The violence has prompted urgent international calls for de-escalation as the UN Security Council prepares for an emergency meeting.

Border Conflict Toll Rises: 16 Dead and 46 Injured, Reports Ministry of Public Health

Mass Displacement and Rising Toll

The Thai Interior Ministry confirmed that over 100,000 residents from four border provinces have been evacuated to nearly 300 temporary shelters. The Health Ministry updated the death toll to 16, including 15 civilians and one soldier. On the Cambodian side, at least one civilian was killed and five others wounded, according to Oddar Meanchey provincial officials.

In Samraong, Cambodia, just 20 kilometers from the conflict zone, AFP journalists reported sustained artillery fire Friday morning, sparking fresh panic. “We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6 a.m.,” said Pro Bak, 41, who was fleeing with his family to a Buddhist temple. “I don’t know when we could return home.”

Tens of thousands flee their homes as Thailand and Cambodia clash @WashTimes https://t.co/lKn5KpyWcG

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Military Escalation

The clashes erupted Thursday with unprecedented intensity, involving fighter jets, artillery, tanks, and ground troops. Thailand deployed F-16s to strike Cambodian military positions after accusing its neighbor of shelling civilian areas, including a hospital and a petrol station. Cambodia, meanwhile, claimed Thailand initiated hostilities and mobilized rocket launchers along the frontier.

The fighting centers on six contested zones along the 800-kilometer border, including areas near ancient temples. Tensions have simmered since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed, but Thursday’s violence marked a dramatic deterioration.

Diplomatic Breakdown

Relations collapsed further as Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador and recalled its own envoy following a landmine blast that wounded five Thai troops. Cambodia retaliated by downgrading ties to “the lowest level,” withdrawing most diplomats from Bangkok.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for urgent UN intervention, with the Security Council set to convene Friday. The U.S., EU, China, and France have all appealed for restraint, warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Historical Grievances Resurface

The border dispute dates back decades, with a 2013 UN ruling failing to fully resolve territorial claims. The current clashes echo 2008–2011 conflicts that killed 28 people and displaced thousands.

Thai Military Accuses Hun Sen of Orchestrating Attacks on Civilians

As civilians continue to flee, aid groups warn of strained resources in evacuation centers. With no ceasefire in sight, fears grow that the conflict could spiral further, destabilizing a region reliant on tourism and cross-border trade.

-Thailand News (TN)