Armed clashes on Thailand-Cambodia border leave nine civilians dead

Thai soldiers inspect a border area. Picture: Royal Thai Army/AP

Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire on the border in a sharp escalation of their conflict that killed at least nine civilians.

The Thai army said the most casualties occurred in Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after shots were fired at a fuel station.

At least 14 people were injured in three border provinces.

Relations between the south-east Asian neighbours have deteriorated sharply since an armed confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier.

Nationalist passions on both sides have inflamed the situation.