Phnom Penh/Bangkok - Saba:
Armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces continued on Monday for the fifth consecutive day.
The Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted Mali Suchiata, Cambodian Deputy Defense Minister and spokesperson, as saying, "Thai forces opened fire first at dawn today." The Thai military confirmed that Cambodian attacks continued throughout the night.
Suchiata added, "Although a special meeting between the leaders of the two governments will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today to discuss a ceasefire, Thai forces continued firing in the disputed areas at 3:10 a.m. local time until 5:07 a.m."
The number of Cambodian families displaced from the border areas has risen to 39,828, representing approximately 134,707 people. Six hundred schools have been closed, affecting approximately 150,000 students and 6,000 teachers. Approximately 400,000 Cambodian migrant workers have returned from Thailand so far, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, Thai military accounts on social media reported that clashes along the border continued for the fifth day, with Cambodian forces continuing to fire continuously. Thai soldiers remained idly present throughout the night, from 11 p.m. Sunday until dawn.
The clashes have resulted in the deaths of 14 Thai civilians and eight soldiers, and 37 civilians have been injured. A total of 139,646 people have been evacuated from danger areas, according to the Thai government's statements on Sunday.