• Source:JND
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Amid the escalation in military conflict with Cambodia, Thailand on Friday declared martial law in eight of the bordering districts. According to the Thai media, the districts where martial law is imposed are: Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Makham, Laem Sing, Kaeng Hang Maew, Na Yai Am, and Khao Khitchakut in Chanthaburi province and Khao Saming in Trat province.

The Thai military announced the move to curb the unrest and secure civilian areas as the border conflict spreads across multiple flashpoints. In a statement, Apichart Sapprasert, the commander of the military's Border Defense Command in the provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat, said, "martial law is now in effect" in seven districts of Chanthaburi and one district of Trat.

Although martial law has been imposed, Thailand has stated that it is open to talks. Moreover, Bangkok has also rejected proposals from the United States, China, and Malaysia to facilitate negotiations.

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Since the military confrontation started on June 24 over a long-disputed border areas, at least 15 people, including 14 civilians, have died on the Thai side while one in Cambodia.

Moreover, the conflict has also instigated a humanitarian crisis, more than 138,000 civilians have been evacuated from border communities in Sisaket and Surin provinces in Thailand, and over 4,000 people have fled their homes in the province of Oddar Meanchey in Cambodia.

Both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of starting the military clashes and have downgraded their diplomatic relations since Wednesday.

Thailand and Cambodia have a long dispute over the Emerald Triangle, a border region where both countries meet Laos, a third Southeast Asian nation.

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This Emerald Triangle is home to several ancient temples, including the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, near which clashes broke out early Thursday. About 95 miles distant from each other, Prasat Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom, both Khmer-era Hindu temples, are two key sites where tensions flared up.

While Prasat Ta Muen Thom is on the Thai side of the border, Prasat Preah Vihear is on the Cambodian side but both nations claim all the territory as theirs.