But the fiery bout in Southeast Asia also marks a test for Washington's waning influence in a region viewed as a crucial theater in a geopolitical competition between the United States and China. "This crisis represents a critical test of American and Chinese influence in Southeast Asia,

BANGKOK -- Armed clashes have broken out between Thailand and Cambodia in long-disputed border areas, rapidly escalating months-long tensions.

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 and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as their worst fighting in over a decade intensified and spread to new areas.

Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia over disputed border areas has entered a second day, leaving at least 15 dead and displacing more than 60,000 people.

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.

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.

Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.

While fighting has over the years erupted sporadically along the 800km border, analysts say that what appears to be a personal feud between Thaksin and Hun Sen, whose son Hun Manet succeeded him as Cambodian prime minister in 2023, is making the current conflict more volatile.

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.

By Shoon Naing SURIN, Thailand (Reuters) -Six-year-old Sunisa Chanprakhon was looking forward to running in her school sports day in their Thai border village on Thursday when explosions shattered the morning calm.