Thailand has sealed its border with Cambodia following deadly clashes between the two countries' armed forces that left at least 12 people dead, most of them civilians, in a disputed frontier region.

The Thai government said the closure was a security measure after Cambodian forces reportedly fired rockets into a Thai village and attacked a hospital during Thursday's fighting. In response, the Thai military launched air strikes on Cambodian military positions across the border.

Officials in Bangkok confirmed that all Thai nationals in Cambodia have been instructed to return home immediately. Cambodia, in turn, has downgraded diplomatic ties with Thailand, accusing it of using "excessive force."

The incident marks a sharp escalation in a long-running territorial dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbours, with the violence triggering fears of broader instability.

Correspondent Jonathan Head reports that despite the intensity of the latest confrontation, a full-scale war appears unlikely. However, the absence of strong leadership on either side has raised concerns over how quickly tensions can be defused.

The disputed area has been a source of repeated flare-ups over the years, often linked to nationalist sentiments and historical grievances. Thursday’s violence is among the deadliest incidents in recent memory between the two countries’ militaries.

Source: BBC

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