Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wetchaichai warned that cross-border clashes with Cambodia "could escalate into war." Meanwhile, Thailand announced that it had evacuated more than 130,000 people from its border with Cambodia as a result of the escalation, AFP reported.

The long-standing border dispute escalated into intense fighting involving aircraft, artillery, tanks, and ground forces on July 24. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the crisis on July 25.

Constant artillery fire could be heard from the Cambodian side of the border, with reports from Oddar Meanchey province that one civilian, a 70-year-old man, had been killed and five others wounded.

More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from the border areas of Thailand, the Ministry of Health said. The ministry reported 15 deaths - 14 civilians and one soldier - and 46 more wounded, including 15 soldiers.

"We tried to reach a compromise because we are neighbors, but now we have instructed the Thai military to act immediately in case of an emergency," said Uechai.

"If the situation escalates, it could turn into a war, although for now it remains limited to clashes," the prime minister told reporters in Bangkok.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose country currently chairs the regional ASEAN bloc, said he had spoken with the leaders of both countries and called for a ceasefire and dialogue.

"I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward," he wrote on Facebook.

But despite Anwar's optimism, fighting resumed in three areas around 4:00 a.m. on Friday (July 25), the Thai army said.

Cambodian forces carried out bombardments with heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems, the army said, while Thai troops responded "with appropriate supporting fire." | BGNES