Thailand declares martial law in 8 Cambodia border regions

The death toll in Cambodia from clashes with Thailand has risen to 13, Cambodia's Defense Ministry said on Saturday. Cambodia had earlier reported only one fatality.

A spokesperson said the casualties included eight civilians and five soldiers. 

This brings the total killed in clashes between the two nations to 32.

In Thailand, at least 19 people have been killed, including 13 civilians and six Thai soldiers.

Cambodia's envoy to the United Nations said Friday that his country wants an "immediate ceasefire" with Thailand.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the crisis on Friday. After the closed-door meeting, Cambodian Ambassador Chhea Keo said: "Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire — unconditionally — and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute."

Keo questioned how Thailand, a regional military heavyweight, could accuse Cambodia, a smaller neighbor, of initiating the fighting.

"(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well," Chhea Keo said.

None of the other Security Council meeting attendees spoke to reporters.

Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes on the Thai-Cambodian border after fighting erupted between the neighboring countries. DW's Georg Matthes traveled to the Thai city of Ubon to meet some of those affected by the conflict.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry said Friday it agrees in principle with a Malaysian proposal for a ceasefire and will consider it, but that a truce must be based on "appropriate on-the-ground conditions."

"It must be stated that throughout the day, Cambodian forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory," the Thai Foreign Ministry said on X. "Cambodia’s actions demonstrate a lack of good faith and continue to place civilians in danger."

Thailand’s acting prime minister says clashes with Cambodia that have uprooted more than 100,000 people could develop into a war. Both sides blame the other for starting the violence. DW’s Georg Matthes has the details from the border area.

Tens of thousands of people have sought refuge as the border fighting continues amid fears of an extended conflict.

The Thai Health Ministry on Friday said more than 58,000 have fled from villages to temporary shelters.

Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people have evacuated from the border region.

The violence in a long-running border dispute has so far killed at least 19 people in Thailand, mostly civilians.

Cambodia confirmed its first death on Friday.

Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have reach their lowest point in more than a decade. Cambodia has fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand, while the Thai military has sent F-16 jets to carry out air strikes on Cambodian military targets.

Thailand on Friday declared martial law in eight of its districts that border Cambodia.

"Martial law is now in effect" in seven districts of Chanthaburi and one district of Trat, the commander of the military's Border Defense Command in the provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat, Apichart Sapprasert, said in a statement.

The two countries continued to trade strikes in a second day of deadly clashes along the border.

On Thursday, a long-running border dispute quickly developed into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops.

Then on Friday, the UN Security Council said it would hold an emergency meeting on the crisis later in the day.

Intense fighting near the Thailand-Cambodia border is entering its second day, with deadly clashes breaking out.

The UN Security Council is to hold a behind closed doors emergency meeting on the crisis, due to commence at 1500 ET (1900 GMT).

On Thursday, Thailand's military said it carried out airstrikes on the Cambodian side of the border after it said the Cambodian army launched artillery shells over the Thai border. But will it escalate into a full-on war? DW's David Hutt explains the background to the border dispute, and whether the crisis will get worse.

This blog will bring you the latest on the situation, as well as news, videos and DW analysis on the crisis.