Cambodian forces open fire near Thai base at Ta Muen Thom

The Thai Army is closely monitoring the situation at Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province after Cambodian troops opened fire from a position about 200 metres east of the Thai operations base this morning, said Thai Army's deputy spokesman Col Richa Suksuwanon.

Tensions escalated after Cambodian forces were seen bringing weapons into a position in front of the barbed wire fence, and one of six armed Cambodian soldiers — carrying an RPG — approached the fence.

In response, Thai forces attempted to de-escalate the situation by initiating verbal negotiations.

However, at approximately 8.20am, Cambodian troops opened fire from their position near the operations base.

Earlier, the special task force stationed in the temple area reported hearing the sound of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone, believed to belong to Cambodia, circling above the front of the temple.

Although the drone was not visible to the naked eye, its sound was clearly audible.

The incident occurred after both countries downgraded diplomatic relations, recalling their ambassadors and expelling each other's envoys, following landmine explosions along the shared border.