Cambodian rockets, suicide drones and artillery shells hit three northeastern Thai provinces on Tuesday morning, the 2nd Army Region reported.
The Cambodian rockets were fired from BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, beginning about 4.50am.
In Surin, rockets hit Ta Khwai and Ta Muen areas in Phanom Dong Rak district and Chong Plot Tang and Chong Rayi areas in Kap Choeng district.
In Si Sa Ket, rockets struck Phra Wihan, Phu Makua, Sam Tae, Phu Phi and Chong Ta Thao areas in Kantharalak district.
Suicide drones and drones carrying small bombs hit locations in Surin and Ubon Ratchathani, including Chong An Ma areas in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin and Hill 561 in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani.
Cambodian artillery shells struck Phra Wihan, Phu Makua, Hill 600, Ban Phumi Charoen village, Chon An Ma, Chong Bok and Ta Khwai in Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani.
“Cambodia is trying hard to conquer the Phu Mukua area… Our side has responded with direct and indirect fire and still controls major locations… and has significantly damaged the opponent’s capabilities,” the 2nd Army said.
The 2nd Army also reported that on Monday its soldiers fired on a deserted building that housed scammers near Chong An Ma in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani and destroyed anti-drone antenna towers in Phra Wihan and Huai Ta Maria areas in Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket, as well as a supply gondola at Hill 350 near Ta Khwai temple ruins in Surin.
Soldiers also cleared a cashew plantation that encroached on Thai territory in Chong Rayi area, and occupied the ancient Prasat Khana temple in Kap Choeng district, Surin.
The 2nd Army said its operations targeted military infrastructure and command centres, arsenals and provision routes that threaten Thailand’s security.
The 1st Army Region, which supervises eastern Thai provinces bordering Cambodia, reported that Cambodian troops fired rifle shots at Ban Nong Chan village in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo province about 1.40pm on Monday.
Thai soldiers responded to the attack and began an operation to take back the areas that Cambodians had illegally occupied in Bang Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaew villages of Khok Sung district and in Ban Khlong Pheng village of Ta Phraya district of Sa Kaeo.
At 5pm on Monday Thai soldiers retook an encroached area in Ban Nong Ya Kaew village, the statement said.
The 1st Army said it found new PMN-2 landmines that Cambodia had prepared for use. In addition, Cambodia directed heavy weapons-fire at houses in Ban Khok Thahan village in Ta Phraya district.
Late Tuesday morning RAdm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said Cambodia was continually provoking Thailand, firing weapons and planting landmines.
Thailand could no longer tolerate these persistent provocations and would have to respond.
“Thai military operations will continue until Cambodia shows it wants peace,” RAdm Surasant said.
Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree condemned Cambodia for firing rockets across the border, calling it a “violation of sovereignty and a serious threat to public safety.” He said Thailand’s military actions comply with international law.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed to press on with the offensive to protect Thailand’s sovereignty and has ruled out talks until Cambodia fully halts its attacks.
The latest bout of violence followed five days of military clashes in July, the deadliest in recent history that left nearly four dozen people dead and displacing more than 300,000. A ceasefire agreement was reached days later during talks in Malaysia and a peace accord was signed in October in a ceremony presided over by US President Donald Trump.
The agreement included deploying observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to help maintain peace.