Cambodia Refutes “Untrue” Heavy Weapon Claims; Second Incident Forces Urgent ASEAN Scrutiny
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) has forcefully debunked “false information” circulating on the official Thai 2nd Army Area page and select Thai media outlets. These outlets falsely claimed that Cambodia initiated firing and moved heavy weapons along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The MND, through its Spokeswoman, H.E. Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, stated that the dissemination of this misinformation is a clear attempt to mislead public opinion and create a pretext for military escalation.
I. Fact Check: Thailand Started the Dec. 8 Hostilities
The Cambodian government directly contradicted the Thai narrative, identifying Thailand as the aggressor in this latest escalation:
- Timeline: Thai military forces initiated the attack against Cambodian personnel early this morning, December 8, 2025, starting at approximately 5:00 AM.
- Intent to Provoke: This unprovoked morning attack followed countless provocative actions by the Thai military over several days, notably the incident yesterday at Prorlean Thmar. The MND confirms these actions clearly intended to incite armed conflict.
- Official Denial: The claim that Cambodia opened fire first or utilized heavy weapons along the border is untrue.
II. Cambodia’s Strategic Non-Retaliation
Despite facing a second direct attack in 24 hours, Cambodia emphasized its commitment to de-escalation:
- Upholding Agreements: Cambodian forces did not return fire during this second incident, standing firm on the spirit of respecting all agreed-upon ceasefire agreements and resolving disputes peacefully according to international law.
- Vigilant Monitoring: Cambodia’s military forces are maintaining the utmost caution, continuously monitoring the border’s evolving situation.
III. Diplomatic Measures: AOT Investigation Requested
To ensure transparency and seek justice, Cambodia is pursuing immediate diplomatic channels:
- Second ASEAN Alert: Cambodia has officially notified the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) for the second time about a deliberate attack on its forces.
- Demand for Probe: Cambodia plans to formally request that the AOT urgently deploy to the locations to conduct a comprehensive investigation, which will help establish the truth and ensure accountability.
⚠️ [Unofficial English Translation] Press Release from the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia.
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