PHNOM PENH, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said on Monday that four Cambodian civilians have been killed in a Cambodia-Thailand border conflict and nine others were wounded, as tens of thousands of people have fled their homes near the border for safe shelters.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on his official social media platform on Monday that the royal government's current top priority is to protect the people and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cambodia.

Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said on Monday afternoon that following the shelling on the Cambodian forces and innocent civilians in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey Provinces early on Monday, the Thai military continued to expand its attack to Banteay Meanchey Province. Enditem