Thailand imposes curfew amid border clashes with Cambodia

(MENAFN) Thai authorities have enacted martial law and imposed a nighttime curfew in several districts of Trat province as armed confrontations along the border with Cambodia persist, with reports indicating at least one fatality.

According to reports, a Thai staff sergeant, Apisit Bunnak, was killed on Sunday after being struck by a BM-21 rocket while carrying out duties near the frontier. The incident occurred as clashes continued to escalate in the area.

Officials said the Royal Thai Navy has enforced a curfew across four districts in Trat, noting that hostilities have not subsided and fighting remains active along the border, according to reports.

Under the martial law measures now in place, security forces have expanded powers, including the ability to detain individuals and conduct searches of people, vehicles, and buildings deemed to pose potential security risks.

Military briefings further indicated that Thai marines have regained control of most of Ban Sam Lang and Ban Nong Ree, two villages in the Cham Rak sub-district of Muang district in Trat province, following intense confrontations with Cambodian forces, according to reports.

In a separate statement, Thailand’s top military commander said the country’s long-term objective is to ensure that “Cambodia will not pose a military threat to Thailand for a long time.”

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry accused Thai forces of launching attacks on multiple villages, alleging the use of artillery fire, F-16 airstrikes, and advancing ground troops, according to reports.

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