Bangkok: The Royal Thai Army has confirmed that Cambodian soldiers initiated the gunfire in the recent clashes at Chong Bok. Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari, the army spokesman, responded to the Cambodian government’s claims, which suggested Thai soldiers were at fault, by asserting that Thai troops acted in self-defense.
According to Thai News Agency, Maj. Gen. Winthai emphasized that the Thai military consistently follows strict rules of engagement. He detailed that the clash occurred after Cambodian soldiers reportedly crossed into Thai territory with weapons. In response, a small Thai patrol was dispatched to assess the situation, but they faced armed retaliation from the Cambodian side, resulting in the skirmish.
Maj. Gen. Winthai stated that Thailand has endeavored to resolve the border conflicts through negotiation, as per the bilateral agreements between the two countries. However, he noted a lack of serious cooperation from Cambodia in recent interactions. He further mentioned that the Thai army is on high alert to counter any potential sovereignty breaches.
The Royal Thai Army has been closely monitoring the situation, especially the Cambodian military’s readiness and operational stance. Concerns have been raised due to Cambodia’s intensified military preparations and their unclear attitude towards joint problem-solving efforts.
Over the past week, the Thai Army Commander has instructed all units to maintain a heightened state of preparedness to fulfill national defense obligations if peaceful resolutions fail. Maj. Gen. Winthai assured that the Thai forces operate with caution and prudence to prevent unnecessary losses while being prepared to defend the nation’s sovereignty if necessary.