Thailand-Cambodia Clashes: MEA Urges End to Hostilities, Provides Helpline Numbers for Indian Travellers

The deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia entered its third day on Saturday, with residents of the bordering villages fled to safer locations to escape the fighting.

India on Saturday issued an advisory, asking its citizens in Cambodia to avoid travelling to border areas. The Indian embassy in Cambodia advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to the border areas due to the ongoing clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated that it is closely monitoring the situation along the border between Cambodia and Thailand. India hopes that both countries will take measures for a cessation of hostilities and prevention of further escalation.

The ministry also provided helpline numbers for Indian travellers in the region to contact the Indian Embassies in Bangkok, Thailand (+66 61 881 9218) and Phnom Penh, Cambodia (+855 92 881 676) for any assistance.

Both countries traded fresh accusations on Saturday as deadly border clashes continued, leaving at least 33 dead and more than 1,68,000 displaced. Artillery fire and gunshots were reported near several border villages despite international pressure to reach a ceasefire.

Thailand and Cambodia are locked in a bitter dispute over the Emerald Triangle, a border region where the two countries meet Laos. The area is home to several ancient temples, including the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, near which clashes broke out early Thursday.

The ancient Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia has also been the site of some of the most prominent and violent past conflicts between the countries. Prasat Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom, both Khmer-era Hindu temples about 95 miles apart, are two of the key sites where tensions flared on Thursday.