Thailand warned its conflict with neighboring Cambodia could “potentially develop into a war” as troops used rockets and artillery to shell targets along their contested border for a second day.

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as border fighting intensified and spread, while Cambodia's leader said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down.

Thailand is a major non-NATO ally of the U.S., while Cambodia is one of China's closest regional allies. The two countries began fighting after a recent dispute over landmines erupted into exchanges of fire on Thursday, July 24, with each side accusing the other of initiating the current hostilities.

All items in the Cambodian armoury originate from past military cooperation agreements. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Of course, trouble at the 508-mile (817 km) shared border is nothing new. For over a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points in the thick jungle punctuated with culturally-significant temples albeit with scant strategic or economic value.

Thailand favours bilateral negotiation rather than third-party mediation to resolve its military conflict with Cambodia, two Thai officials said, as fighting along their disputed border continued unabated.

Its actions will also be a test of its diplomatic strength in the region, they added. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Thailand bombed Cambodia with F-16 fighter jets on Thursday, as relations between the two countries imploded following clashes on a disputed border near the Emerald Triangle.

The deadly conflict on the Thai-Cambodian border pits a longtime United States ally with decades of experience against a relatively young armed force with close ties to China.