The number of fatalities from Cambodia’s attacks on Thai civilian areas has risen to nine, including an eight-year-old boy, with 14 injuries, according to the Thai army.
The Royal Thai Army confirmed on Thursday that civilian zones were hit by supporting fire, resulting in fatalities, injuries and property damage after Cambodian forces launched artillery strikes into Thai territory following a morning assault on a Thai military base near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province.
The affected areas in four provinces of Sisaket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Buriram included:
- Ban Phue in tambon Nong Ya Lat, Kantharalak district, Sisaket — Six civilians killed and 10 injured near a PTT petrol station.
- Ban Chorak in tambon Dan, Kap Choeng district, Surin — Two civilians killed, including an eight-year-old boy, and two injured.
- Ban Kut Chiang Mun, Ban Chan La and Ban Phon Thong in tambon Dom Pradit, Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani — One civilian killed, another injured.
- Ban Khilek in tambon Ban Kruat, Ban Kruat district, Buriram — Damage to agricultural property and livestock.
- Village Moo 16 in tambon Ban Kruat — One civilian injured.
- Ban Nong Raet in tambon Bak Dai, Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin — Residential damage reported.
- House of villager Boonluam Thongwiset at Village 9 in tambon Dom Pradit — His house sustained damage.
The army reiterated its commitment to protecting Thailand’s sovereignty and its citizens, stating it is prepared to take all necessary military measures in response to what it described as violations of humanitarian principles.
"The Royal Thai Army strongly condemns the violent actions targeting civilians by Cambodian forces," the statement read. "Thailand stands ready to defend its sovereignty and protect its people from such inhumane acts."
Thai villages hit by Cambodian rockets
In Surin's Kap Choeng district, two people were killed and two injured when BM-21 rockets fired from Cambodia struck their village. Evacuations of up to 40,000 residents to emergency shelters were under way.
District chief Sutthiroj Charoenthanasak confirmed that two rockets struck the village at 9.40am while residents were awaiting evacuation. Four people were wounded, with two later dying at hospital: a 12-year-old child and an adult.
A police officer inspects a house in Kap Choeng district of Surin after rockets fired by Cambodian forces struck civilian targets on Thursday morning. (Photo: Royal Thai Army public relations)
Authorities were evacuating people from 86 villages to emergency shelters at schools in the neighbouring Prasat district, Surin. Mr Sutthiroj said shelter capacity was adequate and most evacuees had arrived safely.
Officials have not yet surveyed the attack site due to concerns over continued Cambodian artillery fire, he added.
Patients in Kap Choeng were being evacuated from Phanom Dong Rak and Kap Choeng hospitals after rockets fell near the Ta Muen temple ruins. Further casualty reports were not immediately available.
In Si Sa Ket, two people were reported killed and many other civilians hurt when Cambodian rockets fell into a supermarket at a petrol station in Ban Phue, provincial governor Watthana Phutthichat said.
Fire and Rescue Thailand reported that the two deaths at the supermarket were students. A Thaipbs reporter said their bodies were found in the ruins.
The 2nd Army Region posted a video of the incident on its Facebook page at 11.30am.
