Thailand and Cambodia tighten border restrictions as fighting escalates
Thailand has declared a curfew in the southeastern province of Trat, bordering Cambodia's Koh Kong province, due to the spread of fighting to the coastal areas of the Gulf of Thailand. The decision was made under the martial law and, according to the military command, is aimed at protecting the sovereignty, security and lives of civilians. This is reported by The Public https://thepublic.info/ with reference to Nationthailand and DPA.
The restrictions are in place in five border districts. Residents are not allowed to leave their homes from 19:00 to 05:00, and any movement during this time is possible only with special permission from the military or local authorities. The military has announced increased control, inspections and searches in case of suspected security threats. The regime will remain in place until a separate decision to lift it. Earlier, a curfew was already introduced in Sakeo province, and it is still in effect.
At the same time, Cambodia completely closed all entry and exit points on the border with Thailand. The country's Ministry of Interior explained this by the need to protect the state. Despite the US statements about a possible truce, the fighting has been going on for six days, and the parties are exchanging mutual accusations of attacks on civilian areas.
The Thai military reported hitting a bridge that it said was used by Cambodia to supply heavy weapons and operations against artillery positions in Koh Kong. Cambodia, in turn, claims to have shelled civilian infrastructure. The Thai army claims that Cambodian missiles hit residential areas in Sisaket province, injuring at least four people.
According to official figures, the escalation has already forced more than 500,000 people on both sides of the border to flee their homes. More than 20 people have been killed, including civilians, and hundreds more have been injured. The conflict is rooted in long-standing territorial disputes that periodically escalate into armed clashes, despite previous ceasefire agreements.
