The Indian Embassy in Thailand has issued an advisory for Indian nationals to avoid travel to the seven provinces of Thailand and Cambodia. Due to accelerating violence on the borders. A sharp intensification of armed-+ clashes has given rise to tensions that have been emerging for months.
The embassy said in a statement, “In view of the situation near the Thailand-Cambodian border, all Indian travelers to Thailand are advised to check updates from the Thai official sources, including the TAT news.”
The advisory was issued after Thailand's acting prime minister made a stark warning, stating that the situation can worsen significantly. “The current situation involves acts of intrusion and aggressive data causing harm to people's lives. The situation has intensified and could accelerate to a state of war. At present, it is a confrontation involving heavy weapons,” the prime minister stated.
The authorities advised people not to travel to more than 20 locations across several provinces, including Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat.
On Thursday, a clash broke out on the border, leaving at least 16 people dead and many people injured. Among the dead were children and a soldier. 15 soldiers and 30 civilians sustained injuries. Ten thousand had been forced to flee their homes. Exchange of gunfire, shelling, and rocket attacks, with Thailand launching air strikes on Cambodian territory.
On Friday, the Thai military reported multiple engagements across four border provinces. They even claim that Cambodian forces use heavy artillery and Russian-made BM21 rocket launchers, promoting what it describes as appropriate supporting fire in retaliation.
The Health Ministry of Thailand stated that more than 58,000 people have been displaced in the affected provinces, while Cambodian authorities said over 4000 people have been evacuated from the borders. This was the second armed confrontation with a Cambodian soldier who was shot dead in The latest flare-up. Come just hours after both nations downgraded diplomatic ties in the wake of a landmine explosion that injured Thai troops.
