Long-festering tensions over border territory have escalated into armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, leading to dozens of deaths on both sides and displacing tens of thousands of people

People on both sides of the border share a cultural heritage much older than modern nation-states, dating back to the ancient Khmer civilization.

The acrimonious dispute, which flared into violence last week, concerns much more than a few square kilometers of rugged territory.

Tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border reached a new level this week, with both countries deploying advanced weaponry in clashes that have already caused dozens of casualties.

Armed clashes on the remote, disputed border between Cambodia and Thailand killed at least 12 people on Thursday, in a dramatic escalation of tensions that threatens to erupt into a broader conflict.

Thailand has mobilised gunboats to patrol its province bordering Cambodia as conflict between the two nations enters the third day, with death toll climbing to 33 and tens of thousands seeking refuge.

Cambodia has called for an "immediate" ceasefire with Thailand as the two have seen more than 30 people killed in the ongoing border clashes.

Ceasefire talks between Cambodia and Thailand were underway in Malaysia on Monday after days of deadly clashes on their disputed border sent civilians scrambling for safety and relations between the two neighbors cratering.

The growing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia continued into its third day with new attacks, as fears of war loom. The conflict’s death toll rose substantially on Saturday, with Cambodian authorities reporting 12 new deaths and Thailand one,