BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s military death toll in ongoing border clashes with Cambodia has reached nine, the Defense Ministry said Thursday, with nearly 200,000 civilians displaced.
Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Surasak Kongsiri told a press briefing that Cambodian forces were continuing aggressive attacks using heavy weaponry, including BM-21 rockets, Kamikaze drones, and mortars, particularly targeting the Chong An Ma area and Hill 667 in Ubon Ratchathai.
Maj. Gen. Surasak affirmed that all Thai forces—the Army, Navy, and supporting Air Force—were operating according to plan and making significant and continuous operational progress.
The spokesman confirmed two new military fatalities, bringing the total number of soldiers killed to nine, with approximately 120 personnel injured.
The conflict is having a severe humanitarian impact: as of December 10, a total of 199,618 people have been displaced and are sheltering in 849 temporary centres. Furthermore, 19 hospitals, including 180 sub-district health centres, have been affected, forcing patient evacuations, while civilian homes and roads in Trat Province have been hit by BM-21 rocket fire.
Maj. Gen. Surasak condemned Cambodia’s indiscriminate use of heavy weapons and accused Cambodian soldiers of positioning military strongholds within residential areas.
Such tactics constituted a clear violation of international conventions regarding the use of civilians as human shields. (TNA)
