Thailand Enforces Martial Law In Eight Cambodia Border Districts As Deadly Clashes Enter Second Day

<p data-pm-slice=”1 1 []”>Thailand on Friday declared martial law in eight of its districts bordering Cambodia following the deadly clashes. Apichart Sapprasert, commander of the military’s Border Defense Command in the provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat, said in a statement “martial law is now in effect” in seven districts of Chanthaburi and one district of Trat, reports news agency AFP.</p>
<p>The tension has been building between the two countries since late May after a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a firefight over a long-contested border region. The conflict escalated on Thursday, and both sides accused the other of firing the opening shot. The battle has now escalated to the usage of jets, artillery, tanks, and troops.</p>
<p data-pm-slice=”1 1 []”>On Friday, the acting Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai, said that the cross-border clashes with Cambodia that have uprooted more than 130,000 people “could develop into war,” as the countries traded deadly strikes for a second day.</p>
<p>Amid the conflict that is continuously escalating between the two countries, the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis later Friday.</p>