Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today that his country does not want to see violence, but the army is ready to take necessary measures to maintain the security and autonomy of the country, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
Anutin said this against the backdrop of hostilities that have erupted between Thailand and Cambodia along their border.
In July, the border dispute escalated into a five-day conflict before a ceasefire agreement was reached with the mediation of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. An expanded ceasefire agreement was signed in the presence of Trump in October in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital.
Thailand has carried out air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, Thai army spokesman Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said on Monday, Reuters reported. The agency notes that this is happening after both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.
At least one Thai soldier was killed and four were injured in clashes that broke out in two districts of the easternmost province of Ubon Ratchathani, the Thai military said in a statement after its troops came under fire from Cambodian forces.
"The Thai side has already started using aircraft to strike military targets in several areas," the statement said.
The Thai military said that more than 385,000 civilians from four districts along the border have been evacuated, with more than 35,000 of them already housed in temporary shelters.
The Cambodian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Thai army launched dawn attacks on Cambodian forces at two locations along the border, following days of provocative actions, and added that Cambodian troops did not return fire.
In July, the border dispute escalated into a five-day conflict before a ceasefire was brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. An expanded ceasefire agreement was signed in Trump's presence in October in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital.