The Thai army said it was considering blocking fuel exports to Cambodia after fighting between the two countries gripped coastal areas of the disputed border area two days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the countries had agreed to a new ceasefire, Reuters reported.
The Southeast Asian neighbors have resorted to armed force several times this year after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash in May, renewing a conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border.
Thai military commanders are discussing blocking fuel exports to Cambodia, including asking the navy to be "vigilant" against ships carrying strategic supplies and to designate sea areas near Cambodian ports as "high-risk", a Royal Thai Navy spokesman said at a news conference today.
"There are no orders for these measures at this time," said Captain Nara Khunkotom, deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Navy. He added that the issue would be discussed at a security meeting tomorrow.
Thailand's Energy Ministry said on Friday that Thailand had stopped exporting oil to Cambodia since June. According to its data, Thailand exported 2.2 billion liters of fuel to the neighboring country last year.
Cambodia has accused Thailand of carrying out attacks on civilian infrastructure, including using fighter jets. In response, Thailand said it had only struck military targets.
Thailand on Monday declared a curfew in its southeastern province of Trat as fighting continued along its 817-kilometer border with Cambodia.
According to Thai authorities, at least 16 soldiers and 10 civilians have been killed and hundreds injured since the latest wave of clashes began on Monday, with 258,626 civilians displaced.
There was no information from Cambodian authorities about new deaths or injuries.
According to the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, at least 11 people have been killed, 74 injured and 394,706 displaced since Monday.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday that military action would continue "until "We feel that there is no longer any danger or threat to our land and people."