THAILAND and Cambodia continued to exchange fire across their border today as they both blamed each other for intensifying the conflict.

Thai forces launched fresh attacks in three Cambodian provinces today, according to the Cambodian news outlet The Khmer Times.

The paper accused Thai forces of opening fire in the Ta Moan, Ta Kra Bei and Thmar Duan areas of Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province.

It also reported Thai shelling in the Phnom Khaing and An Ses areas of the country’s Preah Vihear province, as well as the areas of Prey Chan Village and Boeung Trakuan in Banteay Meanchey province.

The Thais have accused the Cambodians of preparing to launch advanced missiles against them and of using foreign mercenaries to bolster their fighting force.

In a Facebook post, Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence dismissed both allegations as “false news.”

The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia said in a statement that it rejects “propaganda disseminated on the Thai 2nd Army Area Facebook page, which accused Cambodia of using foreigners to help launch FPV [first person view] drones in the Cambodian-Thai border conflict.”

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was planning to reach out to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, saying he thinks he “can get them to stop fighting.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that the Trump administration “is obviously tracking this at the highest levels and is very much engaged.”

Thailand’s top diplomat Sihasak Phuangketkeow reportedly spoke with his US counterpart Marco Rubio today, the Thai foreign ministry said.

Mr Sihasak told Mr Rubio that his country was committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict but insisted that any sustainable peace must be backed up by actions and a genuine commitment.

He added that Mr Rubio confirmed the willingness of the US to play a constructive role to promote peace between the two warring sides.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insisted that his decision to dissolve parliament on Thursday — earlier than expected — would not impact the border conflict.

The dissolution of parliament follows a breakdown in relations between Mr Anutin’s Thai Pride Party and the opposition People’s Party, the largest bloc in the Thai legislature.

Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said a legislative impasse had paralysed the government’s agenda, meaning Mr Anutin’s party “can’t go forward in parliament.”

Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed the dissolution today, making way for early elections.

The national polls must now be held within 45 to 60 days in Thailand.