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Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense on Monday said that four Cambodian soldiers were injured by an explosion during a border patrol on Sunday in Oddar Meanchey province after encountering Royal Thai Armed Forces who were operating on the other side of a barbed wire fence. The incident is currently under investigation.
The Cambodian troops were patrolling a cashew plantation in Thma Don Village, Kouk Mon Commune in Banteay Ampil District where they encountered Thai soldiers on the other side of a barbed wire fence, according to ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata in a statement.
She added that “shortly after the two patrol [units] passed each other, an explosive device detonated behind the Cambodian patrol, injuring four soldiers with shrapnel wounds”.
“Concerning the above explosive incident, the frontline Command Post and expert teams are conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation to determine the cause of the explosion, so as to bring forth facts for both our forces and the public,” she mentioned.
The wounded soldiers are currently receiving attentive medical care from medical teams and relevant personnel, according to the ministry.
According to her, Cambodia reiterated its commitment to fully respect and implement the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) and existing bilateral peace agreements.
While the ministry’s statement does not specify the direction of the explosion and the scope of the investigation, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri immediately rejected any claims that Thai forces were involved.
At the time of the incident, Thai troops were conducting routine patrols to build roads on the Thai side when they observed Cambodian soldiers monitoring their activities, Kongsiri said.
Around noon, Thai personnel heard an explosion from the Cambodian side, followed by what he described as “confusion” while Cambodian troops assisted the injured.
“A rapid investigation with the responsible Thai units confirmed that the explosion occurred on Cambodian territory and was not caused by Thai forces,” Surasant told CamboJA News.
He further said the “Royal Thai Army strictly adheres to agreements, rules of engagement, and international law”.
Two days earlier, Cambodia’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry lodged another protest with Thailand, accusing Thai armed forces of continued border encroachments following the installation of barbed wire in the Mom Bei area of Preah Vihear province and Chob Ruan area in Oddar Meanchey province.
According to the ministry, the barbed wire was installed on July 2, 2026, contravening de-escalation measures outlined in the Joint Statement issued after the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia urges Thailand to immediately cease all such actions, not only in the areas mentioned above but also in all other territories unlawfully occupied by Thai armed forces since last year,” the ministry said in the protest note.
The latest protest is not the first allegation involving Thai troops installing barbed wire inside Cambodian territory. A confrontation erupted in Chouk Chey in September, before the second round of border clashes, when Cambodian civilians and Thai soldiers faced off over the barriers. Phnom Penh has repeatedly condemned the installations, accusing Thai forces of expanding into disputed areas and violating the ceasefire agreement.
On July 3, the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry briefed diplomats on the latest developments on the border, focusing on Thailand’s continued reinforcement of occupied positions beyond boundary lines which it drew unilaterally.
The ministry said that since Thailand’s new government took office earlier this year, there has been no indication that Bangkok has taken steps to fulfill its commitments under the ceasefire arrangement, with unlawful activities in the occupied areas continuing unabated.
Despite these developments, Cambodia’s Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Eat Sophea underscored the importance of the ASEAN Observer Team in supporting the implementation of the ceasefire and helping maintain stability along the border.
According to the Interior Ministry, more than 20,900 people are still not able to return home because their villages continue to be occupied by the Thai military and have also destroyed their houses despite the ceasefire.
Last week, the ministry decided to establish six Rong Cham villages to accommodate displaced residents in Slakram Commune, Svay Chek District in Banteay Meanchey province.
“Rong Cham”, which means “waiting”, symbolizes the suffering endured by the displaced families, Senate President Hun Sen said, noting that they were forced to abandon their homes, farmland and livelihood. They continue to live in fear and poverty, and feeling homesick due to the border conflict.
Independent political analyst Meas Nee told CamboJA News that the Thai military’s actions are “provocations” meant to increase tension, and risk triggering an armed clash again.
Thailand has shown “little regard” for Cambodia despite existing agreements because it “knows that Cambodia is trying to exercise restraint and avoid armed conflict”.
“Diplomatic protests are not effective under current circumstances. However, Cambodia should continue gathering evidence and submitting it to international institutions, rather than relying solely on diplomatic protest statements,” he said.
If Cambodia does not strengthen national unity, Thailand would continue to “mistreat and violate Cambodia”, he added.
