Fighting rages in border of Cambodia, Thailand

SURIN, Thailand (AFP) — Fighting raged Thursday along the border of Cambodia and Thailand, with explosions heard near centuries-old temples ahead of United States President Donald Trump’s planned phone call to the leaders of both nations.

At least 20 people have been killed in the latest round of border fighting that reignited last week, officials said.

Around 600,000 people, mostly in Thailand, have fled border areas near where jets, tanks and drones have waged battle.

The Southeast Asian nations dispute the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometer frontier, where both sides claim a smattering of historic temples.

This week’s clashes are the deadliest since five days of fighting in July killed dozens before a shaky truce was agreed, following intervention by Trump.

The US president said he expected to speak with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to demand a halt to the clashes.

“I found they were two great leaders, two great people, and I’ve settled it once,” Trump told reporters Wednesday at the White House.

“I think I can get them to stop fighting,” he added.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said there had been “no coordination” yet with Trump.

“But if there’s a call from the US president, we definitely will answer the phone,” Anutin said.

Adding to the uncertainty, he dissolved the parliament on Friday, earlier than expected.

“The House of Representatives is dissolved to hold a new general election for members of the House,” the decree published in the Royal Gazette said.

Anutin, of the conservative Bhumjaithai party, became prime minister in September after his predecessor was removed from office by the court over an ethics violation.

In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had not yet made the promised calls but “the administration is obviously tracking this at the highest levels and is very much engaged.” 

Life ‘paused’

Each side blames the other for reigniting the conflict, which has expanded to five provinces of both Thailand and Cambodia, according to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) tally of official accounts.

In Thailand’s northeast on Thursday, hundreds of evacuated families woke inside a university building in Surin city that has been transformed into a shelter.

A few women pounded chili paste while volunteers stirred big pots of food.

Nearby, 61-year-old farmer Rat, who declined to give her last name, said she had to leave her home before she could plant a cassava crop this season, fleeing with her family of eight.

“I just want to go home and farm again,” she told AFP.

Nine Thai soldiers have been killed this week and more than 120 wounded, Thai defense ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri told reporters Thursday, saying “the operation is still ongoing across the border.”

Cambodia’s defense ministry has reported 11 civilian deaths and dozens wounded.

Under a makeshift tent on the grounds of a pagoda in northern Cambodia’s Srei Snam, 88-year-old Chae Yeang said she wanted her peace of mind back.

“I don’t want this war to continue,” she told Agence France-Presse. “I just want it to end and to have peace tomorrow.”