Pakistan, July 25 -- Thailand has declared martial law in eight border districts following intense clashes with Cambodia. The fighting, which erupted on Thursday, has worsened along the border areas. Thai military commander Apichart Saprasit confirmed that martial law was enforced in seven districts of Chanthaburi province and one district in Trat.

The Thai government, led by Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Vichaya, has raised alarms that the border skirmishes could spiral into a full-blown war. So far, 16 fatalities have been reported, with dozens more wounded, according to local sources.

The violence has forced nearly 100,000 people from Thailand's border regions to seek refuge in safer areas within the country. On the Cambodian side, ...