Thailand closes border with Cambodia after military clashes kill at least 12 people

In Southeast Asia.

Thailand's health minister has said that at least 12 people have been killed and 14 wounded in the country's conflict with Cambodia.

Cha Yun-kyung reports.

At least 12 Thais, mainly civilians, have been killed as Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire on Thursday morning in a disputed border area.

The Royal Thai Army said that the deaths occurred in at least three different provinces along the Thai-Cambodia border.

Thailand has accused Cambodia of firing heavy weapons, such as BM-21 rocket launchers and artillery, into a Thai village and a hospital.

Thailand also says it has carried out air strikes on Cambodian military targets.

Both sides have accused the other of firing the first shots.

Anti-personnel landmines within Thai territory also caused injuries to Thai soldiers who were patrolling on Wednesday. This follows injuries from a landmine last week.

As a result, Thailand has closed its entire border with Cambodia after telling all its nationals there to leave, while Cambodia has downgraded its ties with Thailand to the lowest level.

"Now we have escalated the measures to level four, which involves the complete closure of all border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodian border."

Thursday's fighting has ramped up a long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

Recent border tensions in May led to the death of one Cambodian soldier.

Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.