Phnom penh: Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) has issued a directive prohibiting all flights from traversing the conflict zones along its border with Thailand, a spokesperson confirmed. Sinn Chanserey Vutha, the SSCA's secretary of state, stated that airlines have been notified to steer clear of these areas, extending the no-fly zones to include Poipet City, Pailin province, and parts of Siem Reap province.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the new regulations mandate that aircraft avoid these airspaces and maintain a minimum altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level to ensure the safety of flight operations and protect passengers. Despite these restrictions, international flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, as well as Siem Reap and Bangkok, are continuing as scheduled by altering their routes to bypass the restricted zones.

The enforcement of these airspace restrictions follows armed clashes that erupted between Cambodian and Thai soldiers on Thursday in the Cambodian provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear. The conflict expanded to Pursat province by Saturday morning, as reported by Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata. Thai media reports indicate that the clashes entered their third consecutive day on Saturday, following an incident where Cambodian forces allegedly fired upon Thai troops.