Fighting continues on the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

Firefights reportedly broke out again this morning on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. "Warning: Clashes are currently taking place in several border areas," the Thai military posted on Facebook. People in the region in northeastern Thailand were urged to avoid the area at all costs.

The decades-simmering conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors escalated dangerously on Thursday. Following exchanges of fire along the border, the Thai military reportedly deployed fighter jets against Cambodian positions. Cambodia responded with artillery fire, including on residential areas.

According to the government in Bangkok, the death toll in Thailand has now risen to 14 – 13 civilians and one soldier. According to the Ministry of the Interior, 100,000 residents from four provinces (Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buriram) have been evacuated to approximately 300 evacuation centers.

The two countries are separated by a border of more than 800 kilometers, the line of which was established during the colonial era. However, the governments in Bangkok and Phnom Penh interpret this border differently. At the center of the dispute is the Prasat Preah Vihear temple (presumably dating from the 10th to 12th centuries), which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 and is claimed by both countries.

It remained unclear who started the fighting. Both sides accuse each other of opening fire. On Thursday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a meeting to address the "unprovoked, deliberate, and targeted attack on Cambodia." The UN body plans to meet on Friday evening (CEST) to discuss the issue.