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Thailand destroys bridge as fighting with Cambodia over disputed region continues | World News
Thailand has announced a curfew as fighting with Cambodia spread to more areas of a disputed border region.
Renewed conflict between the southeast Asian neighbours has stretched into a second week, despite claims of a ceasefire by would-be peacemaker, US President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, Thailand’s government said a rocket attack from Cambodia killed a 63-year-old villager, its first civilian death reported as a direct result of combat over the past week.
Fighting has flared up several times this year since a Cambodian soldier was killed in a May skirmish, as decades-old tensions over the border territory persist.
Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged heavy-weapons fire at multiple locations along their 508-mile border since Monday.
Thai forces said on Saturday that they had destroyed a bridge that Cambodia used to deliver heavy weapons and other equipment to the region.
Meanwhile, Cambodia accused Thailand of striking civilian infrastructure.
Suang Sreang, 27, who is due to give birth within days, at Wat Por Sovannaram refugee camp in Cambodia. Pic: Reuters
Thailand’s curfew covers five districts of Trat province that neighbour Koh Kong, excluding the tourist islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
This is in addition to the curfew the military previously imposed in the eastern Sakeo province, which remains in force.
Around two dozen people have been killed in the past week, according to official reports.
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Tens of thousands flee fresh fighting
The renewed fighting ended a July ceasefire that was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through under pressure from Mr Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless the two sides agreed.
On Friday, Mr Trump said the two countries “agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me” on his Truth Social platform.
However, fighting has continued this weekend.
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Simmering conflict between Cambodia and Thailand
Why are Thai and Cambodian troops fighting?
The roots of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict lie in a history of enmity over competing territorial claims.
These claims largely stem from a 1907 map created while Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand argues is inaccurate.
Tensions were heightened by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still angers many Thais.
