An Exclusive Report By Michael B. Alfaro
In a dramatic escalation of tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, Thai police encroached on Cambodian territory in Prey Chan village, Banteay Meanchey province, on Wednesday afternoon.
The escalation of the border war is bound to draw parallels with the Russia-Ukraine conflict among senior Washington, DC lawmakers who are monitoring the situation increasingly closely.
Thai forces, armed with weapons and riot control tools, laid barbed wire on land long possessed and used by Cambodian citizens, effectively attempting to enforce Thai law on Cambodian soil, the Cambodian government claims.
Thai forces fire rubber bullets at Cambodian villagers (Source: Michael Alfaro/Royal Cambodian government)
Cambodian residents responded by collectively repelling the intrusion and removing the barbed wire to protect their land.
In retaliation, Thai forces fired rubber bullets, deployed tear gas, and used long-range acoustic devices, causing distress to civilians, including ear pain and neurological effects.
The Thai forces further escalated the situation by firing slingshots loaded with ball bearings, resulting in 28 injuries, including civilians, Buddhist monks, and unarmed Cambodian authorities.
Buddhist monk showing injury from bullets fired by Thai forces (Source: Michael Alfaro/Royal Cambodian government)
Several victims fell unconscious and sustained both serious and minor injuries, Neth Pheaktra, the Minister of Information, told Daily Goat in an interview.
"The Thais are saying one thing behind closed doors in negotiations and then doing a completely different thing on the field," said Minister Pheaktra.
"We want to resolve this dispute diplomatically through the appropriate channels but when our Buddhist Monks are being attacked by the other side's police force what else is there to do but call for the assistance of international political leaders like Donald Trump?" he said.
Rubber bullets fired by Thai forces as shown by a Cambodian villager (Source: Michael Alfaro/Royal Cambodian government)
Cambodian forces and local authorities, who were unarmed and stationed in the area to ensure civilian safety, maintained professionalism and adhered strictly to a ceasefire agreement between the two nations, according to Minister Pheaktra.
The Banteay Meanchey provincial authorities promptly provided medical assistance to the injured, including Buddhist monks, and transported them to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Cambodian government strongly condemned the violent actions of the Thai forces.
The Cambodian government called on Thai authorities to immediately cease all acts of encroachment and violence, urging respect for the ceasefire agreement brokered recently by President Trump.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Cambodia reaffirmed its dedication to resolving border disputes peacefully, in line with bilateral agreements, international treaties, and conventions.
The government appealed to Thailand to honor these principles to de-escalate military tensions and prevent further armed clashes.
As tensions persist, the incident underscores the fragile nature of peace along the Thai-Cambodian border and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence.
Injured Cambodian villagers being carried away to local hospitals (Source: Michael Alfaro/Royal Cambodian government)
Thai news claims that the disassembly of the barbed wire fences constitutes destruction of the country's border.
The incident occurred just days after Rep. Richard McCormack returned to the US from the first official visit in history by non-military personnel to the Ream Naval Base in the south of Cambodia.
“These are Temples, it should be public access to the world, just because of what it represents,” said Rep McCormick in an interview.