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.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Friday blamed Cambodia for initiating the latest armed conflict by using "military force first," while imposing martial law in border provinces.

Cambodia's leader said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down. Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict and on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric. Thailand accused Cambodia of deliberately attacking ...

By Shoon Naing and Artorn Pookasook SISAKET, Thailand (Reuters) -Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border extended into a third day and new flashpoints emerged on Saturday as both sides said they had acted in self-defence in the border dispute and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations.