BANGKOK, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Four Thai soldiers were killed and 68 others wounded on Tuesday in an escalation of clashes along the Thailand-Cambodia border, the Thai Army said.

According to a statement released by Thailand's Second Army Area, the fighting widely expanded and intensified, with Cambodian forces launching "heavy attacks" against the Thai side.

The Cambodian attacks involved approximately 125 times of BM-21 multiple-rocket launcher strikes with around 5,000 rockets and 33 suicide drones targeting Thai bases and defensive positions across several fronts, the Thai military said.

The Thai Army said it responded with "direct-fire weapons, indirect-fire weapons, tanks and attack aircraft continuously striking designated targets."

The Second Army Area also noted that it will continue to implement all necessary measures to maintain security and safeguard Thailand's sovereignty to the fullest extent. ■