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.

Cambodia has called for an "immediate" ceasefire with Thailand, after two days of cross-border fighting between the two South East Asian neighbours. Cambodia's ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, said his country asked for a truce "unconditionally", adding that Phnom Penh also wanted a "peaceful solution of the dispute".

Thailand and Cambodia's ongoing conflict escalated further on the third day, with clashes reported for the first time in the rival-locked nations' coastal regions

Thailand and Cambodia pounded each other with heavy artillery fire for a third day on Saturday (July 26) as a border conflict that killed at least 33 people and displaced more than 170,000 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.

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.

Tensions have bubbled between the two neighbors for months, flaring on Thursday as Cambodia and Thailand exchanged fire.