Thai army refutes Cambodian claim that it shot down its spy drone

The Thai army dismissed an allegation in Cambodian media today, claiming that Cambodian troops had shot down a Thai military surveillance drone, which had intruded into Cambodian airspace.

According to the Cambodian media, the troops stationed on the frontline in Preah Vihear province shot the drone down as it was being used by the Thai army to monitor Cambodian troop and equipment movements.

Thai Army Spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree dismissed the allegation as fabricated, noting that there was no need to spy on the Cambodian troop movements, as such activities are reported in Cambodian social media.

He pointed out that it is normal for Thai and Cambodian forces to use drones over the un-demarcated border areas, adding that it is possible for drones of either country to encroach on the airspace of the other.

He insisted, however, that the drone the Cambodians claim they shot down did not belong to the Thai army.

He also urged the Thai people to double-check Cambodian media reports concerning Thailand, claiming that most of them are fake news.

According to the Khmer Times, the Thai forces have continued to violate Cambodian territory, with the latest incident involving the unauthorised flight of a drone over frontline areas to conduct surveillance on Cambodian military positions.

The drone was successfully intercepted by Cambodian troops.

The online claimed that on June 2, Cambodian soldiers stationed at the frontline in Preah Vihear Province intercepted a drone that had entered Cambodian airspace for reconnaissance purposes.

Preliminary assessments indicate that the drone was deployed by the Thai military to gather intelligence on the deployment and movement of Cambodian forces.

The online post shares a photo along with the news, depicting four Cambodian soldiers, with one in the center holding an object believed to be a drone.