Reuters. Thai police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Cambodian civilians in a disputed border area on Wednesday (September 17), authorities in both countries said, the most significant escalation since they declared a ceasefire to end a deadly five-day conflict in July.
The handout footage shared by the Royal Thai Army showed the clash between both nations as Cambodian protesters tried to remove the barbed wire laid by Thailand, while Thai riot police ordered the Cambodians to retreat, firing rubber bullets, tear gas, and using a long-range acoustic device. The footage also showed the Cambodian side hurled long wooden sticks and rocks at the riot police.
Hours before the clash, an ASEAN Interim Observer Team (IOT) entered the disputed village to monitor the situation, a Thai military statement said. The Thai members of the observer team later withdrew from the area.
The clash occurred at a disputed frontier settlement, which Thailand claims is part of its Ban Nong Ya Kaew village in Sa Kaeo province, but Cambodia asserts is part of Prey Chan village in Bantheay Meanchey province. At least 23 Cambodians were injured in the incident, according to Cambodian authorities, while Thailand's military said an unspecified number of Thai officials had also sustained injuries.
