Thailand launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, a military official confirmed on Monday.
The country said that one of its soldiers was killed and four others were wounded after Cambodian forces fired at its troops.
The border clashes between the two countries are continuing to escalate after they breached a ceasefire agreement brokered by Malaysia and US President Donald Trump. In July, Thailand and Cambodia got into a five-day war, which killed at least 48 people and displaced around 300,000.
Thailand confirmed on Monday that it had destroyed a cable car that led up to the ancient temple Prasant ta Krabei (Kwai in Thai). The army said that the at around 9:20 am local time, the cable car which led to Hill 350 and the Cambodian concrete stairs were destroyed by an air attack.
The cable car on Hill 350 was located 300 metres west of the temple.
The temple has been one of the most contested parts of the border dispute between the two countries.
Thai news reported that their army was preparing to reclaim the temple after the destruction of the cable car. The army said that the route was being used to transport and supply weapons. The escalation is one of the most serious following the July fight. Tens of thousands of people had to be evacuated from the Thai and Cambodian border by both countries.
The temple falls under an undemarcated territory along its 817 km land border, mapped by France when it had colonised Cambodia. The lands have been contested by both countries. Both countries have contested for
Thailand has long accused Cambodia of using the Prasat Ta Krabey temple as a military base. However, the claims have not been verified.
The country has also accused its neighbour of laying landmines near the temple, injuring several of its soldiers.
Last month, Thailand’s Maj Gen Nutt Sri-in, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Army Area, said that the Thai army had two options when it comes to ‘retaking Prasat Ta Kwai temple to The nation.
Nutt said that the the first option would be a direct assault, which would risk casualties, and the second would be a slower technology-led approach, which would verify and secure the territory and terrain that has been described as difficult.
On Monday, Thailand accused Cambodia of using a drone, firing machine guns and launching grenades at its troops near the border in Chong Kan Ma, Si SA Ket province. It also said Cambodia fired BM-21 MLRS rocket weapons at civilian areas.
Cambodia said that it was Thailand that had been doing the firing and that it had not retaliated at all.
Both sides have accused the other of opening fire and causing death and injury.
Attempts for a ceasefire and for peaceful resolutions to the overlapping claims between the two countries have not lasted long.
