Thai PM calls emergency meeting with military top brass over border flare-up

After he cancelled his planned trip to the border, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called an emergency meeting with the top brass of the three armed forces at Government House this morning, to discuss the escalating tensions with Cambodia.

The national police chief and top ranking security officials are also taking part in the meeting and a press conference is expected at its conclusion.

Meanwhile, the Second Army Region reported today that more than 35,000 Thai civilians have been evacuated from their houses in the border provinces of Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Surin and Buri Ram since last night. Some are in safe shelters while others have taken refuge with their families away from the border.

An evacuee in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani, who suffered an underlying disease, died during the evacuation.

In Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram, several bed-ridden patients at Ban Kruat district hospital, the elderly, the disabled and children were evacuated last night to a shelter with the help of emergency volunteers.

Many other residents in Ban Kruat district, close to the border with Cambodia, have been moving to safer areas away from the border today, with the police directing traffic to ease congestion.