By Shoon Naing and Artorn Pookasook SISAKET, Thailand (Reuters) -When the Thai and Cambodian armies began shelling at their contested border on Thursday, Komsan Prachan thought his family was far enough away from the fighting to be safe.

The conflict's death toll rose substantially, with Cambodia reporting 12 new deaths and Thailand one, making the total death toll 13 Cambodians and 20 Thai

The Indian Embassies in Cambodia and Thailand have issued advisories urging Indian nationals to avoid border areas due to ongoing armed clashes. Tensions have escalated, leading to a humanitarian crisis with mass displacement.

The fighting began on Thursday morning close to the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, beside the border between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province.View on euronews

Thailand has not publicly commented on the ceasefire proposal. It earlier declared martial law in eight districts bordering Cambodia. At least 16 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced in both countries,