The two countries continue to fight along their border.

Fighting broke out this morning on the border between Thailand and Cambodia for the third consecutive day. A new front has now emerged further south, specifically in the Thai province of Trat, the newspaper Khaosod reported, citing the military. Both sides again accused each other of opening fire. The Thai Navy is now also involved in the conflict.

The decades-simmering conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors escalated dangerously on Thursday. Following exchanges of fire along the border, the Thai military reportedly deployed fighter jets against Cambodian positions. Cambodia responded with artillery fire, including on residential areas. It remains unclear who opened fire.

On Friday evening, Thailand's armed forces had already declared martial law in eight districts of Trat and Chanthaburi provinces. This was justified by the "ongoing threats to national security" posed by the neighboring country. Martial law facilitates the military's ability to conduct all necessary operations to maintain peace and order, the Foreign Ministry said.

In Cambodia, 13 people have been killed so far, including eight civilians, the Phnom Penh Post reported, citing the Ministry of Defense. More than 70 people were injured, including 50 civilians. According to the latest government figures, 14 people were killed in Thailand, including 13 civilians. More than 60 people were injured, some seriously. According to the government, around 130,000 people are displaced in Thailand.

Cambodia demanded an immediate end to the firefights. Cambodian UN Ambassador Chhea Keo said after a UN Security Council meeting in New York: "Cambodia called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, and we also call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict." Thailand could not credibly accuse Cambodia of attacking the country, he said, because its army was only one-third the size of Thailand's.

Conversely, Thai UN Ambassador Cherdchai Chaivaivid called for an immediate end to hostilities by Cambodia at the UN meeting in order to initiate dialogue. He called it an "unlawful and arbitrary act of aggression." He stated that the two countries are close neighbors, and the violence must end.

The two countries are separated by a border more than 800 kilometers long, the line of which was established during the colonial era. However, the governments in Bangkok and Phnom Penh interpret this border differently. The dispute primarily concerns the Prasat Preah Vihear temple (presumably dating from the 10th to 12th centuries), which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 and is claimed by both countries.