At least 36,000 people were displaced on 23-24 April amid fresh fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border, officials say.

Cambodia’s Defence Ministry alleges that Thailand fired heavy weapons more than 21km into Cambodian territory, IRIN News says.

Stephane de Geef, with Jesuit Relief Services, an international Catholic NGO with an office in Cambodia, said there could have been dozens of civilians casualties if not for the evacuation.

Nearly 10,000 Cambodians were relocated to temporary shelters away from the fighting, according to the government’s National Disaster Management Committee.

Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Cambodian fire fell “more than several kilometres” inside Thailand.

At least 26,000 Thai civilians were evacuated from border communities in Buriram and Surin provinces and are now being housed in temporary shelters, he said.

Each side blamed the other for initiating the violence, in which 12 soldiers have reportedly died and dozens been injured since fighting erupted again on 22 April.

In statements, Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry said Thai troops launched a “fierce armed offensive”, and Thailand’s Foreign Ministry alleged Cambodian troops prompted the flare-up with an “unprovoked attack”.

SOURCE

CAMBODIA-THAILAND: 36,000 displaced by deadly border clashes (IRIN News)