Thailand’s army confirmed that as of 2:15 pm Thursday, artillery fire from Cambodian forces had struck civilian zones after an earlier morning assault on a Thai military base near Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province, killing 12 people — including an 8‑year‑old boy — and injuring more than 30.
Affected areas and casualties:
- Surin: 2 civilians killed (including an 8‑year‑old boy), 4 civilians injured, 5 soldiers wounded.
- Ubon Ratchathani: 1 civilian killed, 4 seriously injured.
- Si Sa Ket: 8 civilians killed (including a 15‑year‑old), 15 civilians injured, 1 soldier killed, 2 wounded.
- Buri Ram: 1 civilian injured.
BM‑21 rockets hit a village in Kap Choeng district, Surin, around 9:40 am while residents awaited evacuation. Four were wounded, two later died — a 12‑year‑old child and an adult. Evacuations of up to 40,000 residents are under way.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin condemned the attacks as “inhumane” and a “gross violation of Thailand’s sovereignty,” adding that medical teams and resources were being deployed.
“The government will pursue all necessary measures to respond to the aggression and ensure the safety of its citizens,” he said.
The Royal Thai Army said it is ready to take all necessary military measures:
“We strongly condemn Cambodia’s violent actions against civilians and stand ready to defend our sovereignty and protect our people.”
