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.

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

The first clash on Thursday morning took place near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple along the border of Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, the AP reported.

In the wake of Cambodia-Thailand border clashes, Indians are advised to stay vigilant, rely on verified information and avoid spreading misinformation.

Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed along the two countries' border in a major escalation of a festering dispute over territory that killed least 14 people, mostly civilians.

At least 16 people have now been killed in a clash between Thailand and Cambodia's militaries along a disputed border region, which entered its second day Friday.

Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes as fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continued for a second day Friday.View on euronews

Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai accused Cambodia of laying new landmines in the disputed area, resulting in an injury to a Thai soldier.