Thai Army on alert after shots fired from Cambodian side of Surin border

The Thai Army detected gunfire coming from the Cambodian side of the border near Chong Chom checkpoint in Surin province on Wednesday, with a total of 11 shots fired from the O Samach area, Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said.

The incident occurred at about 6.40pm, when troops under the 2nd Army Region’s Suranaree Task Force heard small-arms fire coming from the Cambodian side.

The shooting began near Hill 278, east of Chong Chom, before extending along the eastern side of the road leading into O Samach. In each location one or two shots were heard, totalling 11 rounds.

The Thai side closely observed the situation but did not return fire.

Preliminary assessments suggested that the gunfire may have been caused by undisciplined Cambodian soldiers firing personal weapons, Winthai said.

No further movements by Cambodian forces were detected after the incident.

The 2nd Army Region said troops had been ordered to intensify surveillance and maintain round-the-clock monitoring to prevent any incidents affecting security along the Thai-Cambodian border.

At around 9am, Thai troops had encountered 10 to 15 Cambodian soldiers, accompanied by two “foreigners,” near the barbed-wire boundary in the same area.

Winthai said the group approached the borderline and recorded video footage in what Thai authorities described as provocative behaviour.

Thai officers initially issued verbal warnings, but when the group failed to retreat, soldiers fired two warning shots in accordance with security protocols.

The Thai Army and the Suranaree Task Force remains deployed along the border and prepared to respond to any violation of Thai sovereignty, while continuing to follow bilateral agreements and international rules.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul later said that he had been briefed on the incidents by Army Chief of Staff Gen Chaiyapruek Duangprapat.

Anutin said the shooting took place on the Cambodian side and did not appear to be a direct act of aggression against Thailand.

The prime minister also sought to reassure residents along the border, saying Thai forces remain stationed in the area and that they would not allow any infringement of Thai sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Defence Ministry spokeswoman Lt Gen Maly Socheata denied the reports, describing them as false and baseless accusations aimed at distorting facts and damaging Cambodia’s reputation.