Thai Army returns fire after Phnom Penh fires mortar round into Si Sa Ket
Thai troops returned fire this morning after Cambodian forces fired a single 40mm grenade round near a Thai patrol in Si Sa Ket province, accusing Cambodia of violating a December truce.
Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said Cambodian soldiers fired a mortar round into the Plarn Hin Paed Korn area while Thai troops were conducting a routine patrol.
The 2nd Army Region reported that Cambodian forces launched one 40mm grenade into an area near the Thai patrol point, he said.
Thai troops responded with an M79 grenade launcher toward the direction of origin in accordance with the rules of engagement, describing the action as a warning shot in self-defense.
The Army said monitoring measures have since been increased and operational caution heightened.
However, Cambodia’s Information Minister Neth Pheaktra told AFP the Thai claims were “entirely false, fabricated and grossly distort the facts,” accusing Thailand of attempting to mislead public opinion and provoke border tensions.
The Thai Army spokesperson said the incident violated the ceasefire agreement outlined in a Joint Statement signed by both sides.
A preliminary assessment suggested the incident may have stemmed from a troop rotation on the Cambodian side involving newly deployed personnel unfamiliar with regulations.
Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Pana Claewplodtook said strong retaliatory measures were not necessary and that the 2nd Army Region commander was handling the situation.
Chief of Staff Gen Chaipruk Duangprapat said a detailed investigation is under way. Initial findings indicate the grenades were fired from Cambodian territory about 100 metres from the border, near where Thai soldiers were patrolling. He attributed the incident to a lack of discipline among Cambodian troops.
Asked whether Thailand would file a formal protest, Gen Chaipruk said local-level action had already been taken and further steps were under consideration. He urged calm, stressing that military force would be used only as a last resort.
In a separate incident, a Thai soldier was injured by landmine shrapnel during a routine patrol along the border between Sa Kaeo and Buri Ram provinces near Cambodia.
The First Army Region said Sgt Thanaphol Mudyadum of the Second Infantry Division’s long-range surveillance unit sustained injuries to his left hand. He was initially treated at Nang Rong District Hospital before being transferred to Chakraphong Military Hospital in Prachin Buri for further treatment.