Cambodia’s Mine Action Centre has said there is clear evidence that Thai forces fired artillery shells into Cambodian territory over the weekend.
Heng Ratana, the director general of CMAC, wrote on Facebook that the shells bore identifiable codes showing the date of production, the country of origin, and the manufacturer. He insisted that Cambodia does not possess such munitions.
He pointed to incidents on September 27 in Preah Vihear province and earlier shelling in July in Pursat province as examples of Thai forces initiating attacks first. CMAC investigators, he said, had documented the ordnance in detail.
Thai media meanwhile, quoted army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree as accusing Cambodian troops of firing multiple rounds into Ubon Ratchathani province on September 28. Thai officials called for international observers to investigate, saying any cross-border shelling would breach the ceasefire agreement.
Cambodia’s defence ministry rejected the Thai claims, with spokesperson Maly Socheata stating that Thai troops opened fire twice on September 27 against Cambodian positions in An Ses village.
Former Prime Minister Hun Sen also called on international observers to visit the shell impact sites and conduct forensic examinations. He said any refusal by one side to allow access would show that side was responsible for the violation.
The cross-border exchanges come as tensions continue to rise along disputed stretches of the frontier, where both governments accuse each other of breaching past agreements.
