The Thai military reported on Thursday that three people had died as fierce fighting persisted along the country's border with Cambodia.
This was the first civilian death in Thailand since the conflict had resumed. A scuffle on Sunday that injured two Thai soldiers and undermined a ceasefire urged by U.S. President Donald Trump that put a stop to five days of warfare in July over long-standing territorial issues sparked the most recent large-scale conflict.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the border and transferred to temporary shelters or to stay with family, while about two dozen people have reportedly died in the most recent conflict.
According to a statement from the Thai Army, Cambodia attacked Thai positions on Wednesday night using artillery and mortars.
The Thai Army retaliated with similar heavy weaponry, causing damage that included "the destruction of enemy trucks." Artillery duels continued Thursday morning, according to Cambodia's Fresh News online news site, which closely mirrors government stances.
Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern over the fighting to an audience at the Vatican, saying that he was "deeply saddened by the news of the renewed conflict."
"Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, and there have been casualties, including civilians. He remarked on Wednesday, "I pray to these dear people to express my closeness."
Under pressure from Trump, who threatened to revoke trade concessions unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed, Malaysia mediated the initial ceasefire in July. In October, Trump visited a regional gathering in Malaysia where it was established in further detail.
Minor cross-border violence persisted and the two nations engaged in a vicious propaganda war despite the agreement to cease hostilities.
Thailand objected when soldiers patrolling the border were injured by land mines, which it claims were recently buried by Cambodia, while Cambodia reported that Thailand had failed to return 18 soldiers it had arrested as the truce was about to take effect. The mines, according to Cambodia, were remnants of its decades-long civil conflict, which came to an end in 1999.
Trump stated that he anticipates speaking with the two leaders over the phone on Thursday and that he is confident in his ability to convince them to cease hostilities once more. "I believe I can put an end to their altercation.
Who else is capable of doing that? In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his inflated assertion that he has resolved eight conflicts worldwide since taking office again. "Every once in a while, one will flame up again and I have to put out that little flame."
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters in Bangkok on Thursday that the United States had not yet gotten in touch with Thailand in response to Trump's most recent statements.
Anutin has frequently pledged to fight until Thailand's security and sovereignty are guaranteed, echoing nationalistic public opinion. He did not appear to rule out talks with Cambodia in statements on Wednesday, but he stated that he would not do so only at Trump's request.
Jet fighters have been sent by Thailand to conduct airstrikes on alleged military locations. BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles) have been installed in Cambodia.
At least six of the Thai soldiers who perished were struck by rocket shrapnel, according to information gathered by public broadcaster ThaiPBS.
By mid-afternoon on Wednesday, Cambodian forces had launched 79 BM-21 salvos with 3,160 rockets, used artillery 122 times, and used bomb-dropping drones in 63 attacks, according to the Thai army's northeastern regional command.
It stated the rockets struck roughly 500 meters (550 yards) away, forcing the evacuation of a hospital in the province of Surin.
