Troop clashes break out as Cambodia opens fire and launches rockets towards Thai forces and civilians

12 fatalities of civilians and a military soldier and 32 injuries have been reported as a result of the troop clashes today, whereas both sides have taken turns condemning each other

The clash first broke out in the Ta Muen Thom temple compound in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin as the Cambodian forces opened fire at the Thai Moo Pa military base in the early morning. According to the Royal Thai Army, the Thai military officers deployed in the area first heard a Cambodian unmanned aerial vehicle circling in front of the temple ruins at around 7.30 am.

Some six Cambodian soldiers then approached a barbed-wire fence in front of the Thai base, armed with weapons including rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The Thai soldiers then shouted at them, asking them to avoid escalating the tensions.

But about one hour later, around 8.20 am, the Cambodian soldiers started to open fire towards the base, which was about 200 metres east of the ruins.

Since, the clashes have erupted in other areas, including the other temple ruins. According to the 2nd Region Army, at least six areas in the border provinces of Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Si Saket are having military clashes; Ta Muan Thom, Ta Kwai, Chong Bok, Khao Pra Viharn, Chong An Ma, and Chong Chom.

The Thai Army has also reported that the Cambodian troops deployed the BM-21 rocket launchers and launched the rockets at Don Tuan temple in Si Saket province and the Border Development centre in the residents’ communities in Kap Choeng district.

The attack resulted in the injuries of four Thai civilians, two of whom have been reported as dead. One of them is a youngster, according to the Kap Choeng district chief. The mass evacuation of around 30,000-40,000 residents has been carried out, the chief told Thai PBS. One soldier was also injured in the clashes, according to the Thai Army.

The rockets have also damaged a petrol station. They have also hit Phanom Dong Rak and Kap Choeng Hospitals, according to the Army. The Thai Army has issued a brief statement condemning the Cambodian acts against civilians. It has sent six F-16 fighter jets to attack the Cambodian military bases in the fighting areas.

The clashes follow the 2nd Army Area’s announcement of border closure last night, in response to yesterday’s second landmine blast that had injured five Thai military soldiers, one of whom has lost a leg. (Read below: Landmine blasts)

Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Area, ordered the border in his responsible provinces sealed and the temple ruins in Surin closed last night. His order took effect this morning.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has also issued his statement, claiming the Cambodian forces are defending the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and supreme national interests.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia, relevant ministries and institutions, provincial administrations, and especially the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces have been working actively and courageously to safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and core interests of our nation—both on military and diplomatic fronts—while also assisting citizens affected by the Thai army’s current aggression,” posted PM Hun Manet on his FB page in Khmer.

He told the story from his side, which was translated by the Press OCM, that this morning the Thai army launched attacks on Cambodian military positions at Prasat Ta Mone Thom and Prasat Ta Krabey in Oddar Meanchey province, and later expanded the offensive to the Mom Bei area.

“Cambodia has consistently adhered to peaceful means of resolving disputes, but in this instance, we have no choice but to respond with armed force to armed aggression,” claimed PM Hun Manet.

No explanations have been made from the Cambodian side; whether its soldiers had approached the temple first and started opening fire at the Thai soldiers.

Around noon, the Press OCM reported that PM Hun Manet has already sent a letter to the Chairman of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), requesting it to impose an intervention and hold an urgent meeting to stop “Thailand’s aggression against Cambodia’s sovereignty”.

The condemnation

The ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries have issued their statements condemning their counterparts in the troop clashes.

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking on behalf of the government, the Thai government condemns in the strongest terms “the violations of Thailand’s sovereignty and international law”, following the laying of anti-personnel landmines within Thai territory that caused injuries to Thai military personnel while Thai soldiers were patrolling on July 16 and yesterday. 

The ministry said heavy artillery was fired into the Thai military base and continued throughout the morning today. The attacks, it noted, also targeted Thai civilian areas, including a hospital, resulting in civilian casualties and fatalities.

Taking into consideration the severity of the situation as a result of Cambodia’s “intentional and premeditated” act against Thailand, the government has decided to downgrade the country’s diplomatic relations and recall the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia, as well as request the Cambodian government to recall its Ambassador to Thailand, respectively, the ministry said.

The ministry said the government also urges Cambodia to cease its repeated act, which constitutes a severe violation of international law. Such actions, it noted, fundamentally contradict the principles of good neighbourly relations and good faith, and will further undermine Cambodia’s reputation and credibility on the global stage.

In addition, the government calls upon Cambodia to “take responsibility” for the incidents that have occurred, cease attacks against civilian and military targets, and stop all actions that violate Thailand’s sovereignty. 

“The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations of Thailand’s sovereignty in accordance with international law and principles,” the ministry stated.

Suspended Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra has thrown her support to the military counteractions. She expressed condemnation against Cambodia for the use of violence and acts of aggression along the Thai border, citing the initiation by the Cambodian side. Such action, she said on her FB Page, constitutes a clear violation of international legal norms, especially fundamental human rights and ethical principles.

“According to reports from the authorities concerned, I affirm that all relevant agencies have been working to their fullest capacity. I sincerely hope that the ongoing measures will bring an end to violence and bring back peace to the people at the earliest opportunity,” said PM Paetongtarn.

PM Paetongtarn said she fully supports all responsive actions taken by the government, the Armed Forces, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the framework of international law and principles. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, meanwhile, has also issued a condemnation statement in response to the Thai counterpart’s statement, citing the invasion of the Thai military on the territory of Cambodia.

It claimed that the Thai Armed Forces had launched “unprovoked, premeditated and deliberate” attacks on Cambodian positions along the border areas, including Tamone Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple and Mom Bei, in the provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey.

The Cambodian ministry claimed that this act of aggression is a blatant and serious violation of international law, including the fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the ASEAN Charter, which prohibit the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any State.

The Cambodian government, therefore, condemns in the strongest possible terms this reckless and hostile act by Thailand, the ministry stated. 

It also calls on Thailand to immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw its forces to its side of the border, and refrain from any further provocative actions that could escalate the situation, while claiming the right to self-defense, as recognized under the UN Charter, and will take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its people.

The casualties

In the afternoon, the Royal Thai Army summed up the damage to the Thai civilians from the military clashes in the morning as follows: 

1. Area around PTT gas station, Ban Phue, Nong Ya Lad Sub-district, Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province, resulting in 6 civilian fatalities and 10 injuries.

2. Ban Chorok area, Dan Sub-district, Kap Choeng District, Surin Province, resulting in 2 civilian fatalities (including an 8-year-old boy) and 2 injuries, transferred to Kap Choeng Hospital.

3. Areas of Ban Kud Chiang Mun, Ban Chan La, Ban Phon Thong, Dom Pradith Sub-district, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, resulting in 1 fatality and 1 injury.

4. Ban Khi Lek area, Ban Kruad Sub-district, Ban Kruad District, Buriram Province, resulting in damage to residences and agricultural livestock.

5. Village 16, Ban Kruad Sub-district, Ban Kruad District, Buriram Province, with 1 injured person found.

6. Ban Nong Raet area, Bak Dai Sub-district, Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province, resulting in damage to residences.

7. Residence of Mr. Boon Luam Thongwiset, Village 9, Dom Pradith Sub-district, resulting in damage to the residence.

The Ministry of Public Health later updated the casualties in the troop clashes and attacks in multiple areas at around 2 pm. The number stood at 43, with at least 11 civilians having been reported as dead; two of them are a child and a teenager. 24 more were injured as a result. One military officer was killed, and seven more were also injured.

The details of the losses in each province are listed as follows:

• Surin Province: 11 casualties; 2 civilians deceased (including one 8-year-old child), 1 seriously injured, and 3 moderately injured. For the military, 3 soldiers are seriously injured, 1 is moderately injured, and 1 has minor injuries.

• Ubon Ratchathani Province: 5 casualties; 1 civilian deceased and 4 seriously injured.

•Sisaket Province: 26 casualties; 8 civilians deceased (including one 15-year-old), 3 seriously injured, 8 moderately injured, and 4 with minor injuries. One soldier was killed and 2 sustained minor injuries.

• Buriram Province: 1 civilian sustained moderate injuries.

The Minister of Public Health, Somsak Thepsutin, said he was deeply angered and saddened by the “inhumane” attack launched by Cambodian forces on the Phanom Dong Rak Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Phansa Hospital in Surin Province and civilian areas in several other provinces along the border. This act is not only a threat to the national sovereignty but also a grave violation of human values, he said.

The ministry also condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks on the hospital and the Thai civilians, which it said constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. Among the deceased were innocent children, and harming children is a shameful and utterly unforgivable act, it noted.

“Hospitals must always be safe havens. The deliberate act of firing weapons at a medical facility is an act that crosses the line of humanity, as is clearly stated in Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention: Civilian hospitals… may in no circumstances be the object of attack, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict.

“Cambodia’s actions, therefore, constitute a grave breach and are unequivocally “a war crime”,” the ministry stated.

The ministry calls on those who ordered and carried out these acts to be held personally responsible for this “atrocious deed”. It demanded that the Cambodian government take responsibility and cease these actions immediately, and contribute to remedying all losses incurred.

“I affirm that the utmost desire of the Ministry of Public Health is to stop this brutality. We demand that the nation of Cambodia immediately cease these “war crimes” and return to respecting the principles of peaceful coexistence,” said Mr. Somsak.

The leading opposition, the People’s Party, meanwhile, has issued a statement in support of the Thai military’s counteractions, citing that they are in line with the UN Charter.

The statement, which was issued this late afternoon, said in light of the clashes between the Thai and Cambodian armed forces along the shared border, which have resulted in a significant number of injuries and fatalities among Thai civilians, including children and the elderly, the People’s Party unequivocally condemns the attacks perpetrated by Cambodia. 

These attacks have involved the use of long-range weaponry against civilian targets, including a hospital, actions which constitute a clear violation of the Geneva Conventions and are inconsistent with the principles of good neighbourly relations, the party noted.

The People’s Party affirms that the operations conducted today by the Royal Thai Armed Forces were undertaken in accordance with the inherent right of self-defence against an act of aggression, as stipulated in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. 

“We call upon the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, to exert pressure on Cambodia to cease its aggression against Thailand. 

“We reiterate that Thailand has consistently exercised the utmost restraint in the face of Cambodian provocations and remains prepared to utilise peaceful mechanisms to resolve the conflict, should Cambodia agree to cease its aggression and actions that violate international law and undermine the amicable relations between the two nations,” said the party.

In addition, the party urges the government to promptly present concrete evidence to the international community regarding both Cambodia’s use of anti-personnel mines and its role as the initiator of today’s attack in order to foster an accurate understanding of the situation.

“The People’s Party extends its deepest condolences to the civilians and soldiers who lost their lives in today’s clashes. We implore the government to take all necessary measures to restore normality to the Thai-Cambodian border at the earliest opportunity,” said the People’s Party in its statement.

Landmine blasts

Around 5 pm yesterday, a landmine blasted as five military personnel from the patrol team of the 14th Infantry Battalion encountered it at Huai Bon, Chong An Ma, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, according to the Thai Army.

The incident resulted in their injuries, with one soldier sustaining severe injuries to his right leg from stepping on the explosive device, and four others experiencing chest tightness and tinnitus from the blast concussion. They were sent to Nam Yuen Hospital for treatment, the Thai Army said.

Following the incident, the Royal Thai Army condemned the Cambodian side for the incident involving the “covert placement” of landmines in the border area of Chong An Ma, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, which resulted in severe injuries to military personnel.

Chief of Army General Pana Claewplodtook swiftly scheduled a trip to the area to monitor the situation and provide moral support to the injured personnel. He ordered military forces from the 1st Army Area, the 2nd Army Area, and various units to prepare for operations under the “Chakraphong Phuwanat” plan upon receiving orders.

“The Royal Thai Army strongly condemns this inhumane act that violates international humanitarian principles and international agreements, occurring within the Kingdom of Thailand’s territory due to actions by the Cambodian side, and calls upon the Cambodian side to take responsibility for this incident, which constitutes a serious threat to peace and stability in the border region between the two countries,” said the Royal Thai Army in its statement.

The incident just followed the follow-up briefing session held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies for 93 members of the Diplomatic Corps and Defence Attachés based in Thailand from 68 countries/organisations on thw same day.

According to the ministry, the purpose was to provide updates on the Thailand–Cambodia border situation, particularly following the first incident on 16 July, where the Royal Thai Army personnel stepped on a landmine in the Chong Bok area, Ubon Ratchathani province, and three of them were injured, with one having lost his leg.

Director-General of the Department of the MFA’s International Organisations, Pinsuda Jayanama, underlined Thailand’s obligations as a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, including reporting landmines discovered in its territory and lodging a formal protest against Cambodia’s actions.

In addition, the Thai side informed the Diplomatic Corps of the various measures undertaken by the MFA, including the handover of a formal protest letter to the representative of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Thailand.

Thailand also sent a letter to the United Nations in Geneva through the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand and the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament, in his capacity as President-Designate of the Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, in accordance with Thailand’s obligations to the Convention.

The MFA reaffirmed Thailand’s call for Cambodia to uphold its obligations under the Convention and to cooperate in resolving border issues with Thailand through established bilateral mechanisms between the two countries, towards the security and stability of the border areas, and the safety of people on both sides. Those include the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), the General Border Committee (GBC), and the Regional Border Committee (RBC), said the ministry’s permanent secretary.

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence quickly denied the allegation by Thailand, saying it’s baseless. Its spokesperson said Cambodia has repeatedly reminded the Thai side that the areas still contain landmines and many war remnants, which have yet to be cleaned up, and Cambodia has urged the Thai side to avoid practising contradictory consensus on the use of roads for patrolling, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding 2000 (MOU 2000).

Cambodia, however, did not offer any explanations or proof against the discovery of the newly laid landmines in the areas, repeatedly claiming that they are war remnants.

Also read: Thailand calls on Cambodia to “strictly” comply with its obligations to JBC, as it is in accordance with principles of international law and the UN Charter/ Thai PM suspended from duty following leaked phone call audio with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen/ Thai PM apologises for leaked phone call audio over border dispute with Cambodian leader Hun Sen whereas public resentment growing