Satellite images prove Cambodia, not Thailand, altered border trenches - Thai army spokesman

Cambodian-Thai border tensions remain high and unsettled, as the Thai Army continues to dig trenches and mobilise heavy artillery on a daily basis, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet claimed yesterday.

“As of now, the situation remains unsettled. Accusations and conflicting positions persist. The Thai military continues daily operations, involving the repositioning and construction of military infrastructure,” Hun Manet claimed.

His Defence Ministry also issued a statement yesterday, alleging that the Thai Army had violated the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and failed to comply with the outcomes of the recently concluded Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting in Phnom Penh.

The Thai Army was accused of violating Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity by deploying drones, digging trenches, stockpiling weapons, building infrastructure and mobilising troops along the border in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

In response, Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree rejected the Cambodian accusations as baseless, claiming that the alleged actions were in fact being committed more by the Cambodian side.

“Evidence, including satellite imagery and documentation, clearly shows that it was Cambodian troops who restored the trenches they had previously refilled,” Winthai said. “This shows who actually did what.”

He added that the Thai military operates under clear protocols and adheres to the principle that soldiers must conduct themselves as gentlemen and speak only the truth.

“I honestly don’t understand the Cambodian Defence Ministry’s position. Frankly, their information doesn’t align with the facts. The Thai side relies on verifiable evidence and we speak truthfully with honour,” he claimed.

Winthai also urged the public to use discretion when evaluating such claims.