Clashes broke out on the eastern border between Thailand and Cambodia early on July 24. The countries blamed each other for starting the fighting, Reuters reports. The fighting began after Thailand recalled its ambassador from Cambodia late on July 23 and announced it would expel the Cambodian ambassador in Bangkok. There are reports of deaths and injuries.

What Thailand says about the fighting

Thailand's military said Cambodia launched a surveillance drone before sending troops with heavy weapons into an area near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple on the border. A Thai military spokesman said Cambodian troops opened fire, wounding two Thai soldiers. He also said Cambodia used a variety of weapons, including rocket launchers.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry said Cambodian troops fired heavy artillery at a Thai military base and struck civilian targets including a hospital, causing civilian casualties.

A shell hit homes in the border province of Surin, killing two, Thai officials said. Authorities evacuated 40,000 civilians from 86 villages.

Thailand's health minister said eleven civilians have been killed so far in missile strikes from Cambodia, including five hospitals.

The Nation reports that the governors of four Thai provinces along the border with Cambodia have ordered the evacuation of residents living near the border. The orders were issued by the leaders of Surin, Buriram, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Thai Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Ansit Samphantharat warned that the situation could escalate.

Reuters also reported that a Thai F-16 fighter jet struck targets in Cambodia. The Thai army said one of six jets Bangkok was preparing to deploy along the disputed border flew toward Cambodia and destroyed a military facility.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry urges Thais in Cambodia to leave the country as soon as possible and refrain from travelling there due to ongoing clashes.

The Russian Union of Travel Industry reported that the areas of Thailand where tourists from Russia traditionally vacation are not affected by the conflict, there are no threats to vacationers.

Cambodia's position

A Cambodian defense ministry spokesman said there had been an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops.

The Cambodian army has launched a counteroffensive in self-defense, the kingdom said.

Cambodia's Foreign Ministry also called Thailand's airstrikes unprovoked. The Cambodian Foreign Ministry called on the neighboring country to withdraw its troops and refrain from further provocative actions that could escalate the situation.

Why the conflict started

On July 21, Thailand accused Cambodia of planting landmines in a disputed border area. Thai authorities said three soldiers were injured and one lost a leg when they stepped on a mine while patrolling on July 16 on the Thai side of the disputed border between Ubon Ratchathani and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province. Phnom Penh denied the accusation, saying the soldiers had strayed from agreed routes and stepped on a mine left over from decades of war.

The Thai army reported that between July 18 and 20, 10 newly laid PMN-2 anti-personnel mines, which are not in use or stockpiled in Thailand, were found in the areas where the soldiers were injured.