Thailand-Cambodia conflict: Border clashes escalate as countries trade artillery, loitering munition strikes

On the second day of renewed fighting, the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has spread along the two countries' shared border. (Janes)

Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of launching artillery and loitering munition strikes on 9 December as border clashes between the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries intensified and spread on their second day of renewed conflict.

The Royal Thai Army's (RTA's) 2nd Army Area, which is responsible for the northeastern region of Thailand, said the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces launched attacks on civilian targets using loitering munitions and the service's BM-21 Grad 122 mm multiple rocket launcher.

Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said in a press conference the Royal Thai Armed Forces had deployed unidentified types of reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions and also fired 105 mm and 155 mm artillery shells against Cambodian infrastructure.

The Cambodian MND also said the Thai military had “expanded their scope of operations” on the second day of fighting to include various locations along the countries' shared border including Boeung Trakoun, Boeng Pring, Thma Puok, and Kamrieng districts in Cambodia's Battambang province.

A spokesperson from Thailand's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a press briefing that the country's military intelligence indicated that the Cambodian military deployed “long-range weapons and heavy weapons” along the border.

An RTA spokesperson added that Cambodian strikes, mainly consisting of artillery fire, were concentrated in Phu Ma Khue near Preah Vihear, and Ta Muen Thom Temple located along the border between Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province. RTA facilities in the areas of Chong Bok, Ta Kwai Temple, and Kana Temple were also targeted, the spokesperson said.