Cambodian troops launch morning attack, Thai army returns fire
Second Army Area reports fresh border clashes in Si Sa Ket as Cambodian forces target Thai bases with rifles and mortars.
- Cambodian troops initiated a series of pre-dawn attacks on Thai positions along the border in Si Sa Ket province, starting at 5:05 am.
- The Thai army returned fire, stating its response was in self-defense and in accordance with international rules of engagement.
- The conflict involved multiple exchanges of fire using various weapons, including assault rifles, machine guns, and mortars from both sides.
A report from the Second Army Area said Cambodian troops opened fire on Thai soldiers at Huai Tamalia in Si Sa Ket province at 6.50am on Monday (December 8).
Thai forces responded in line with international rules of engagement, and exchanges of fire were still underway in the area.
The Second Army Area said it would stand firm in defending Thailand’s sovereignty against any aggression.
According to the report, the latest incidents unfolded in the early hours as follows:
- At 5.05am, in the Chong An Ma sector, Cambodian soldiers fired assault rifles at Thai positions in the area of Border Patrol Police Company 793.
- At 5.11am, in the Chong An Ma–Dan Klai sector, Cambodian troops fired a further three rifle shots.
- At 5.21am, at the Rak Ya base, Thai soldiers detected two drones flying from Dan Klai base.
- At 5.23am, in the Chong An Ma market area, Cambodian troops fired from a machine gun at Thai positions.
- At 5.24am, troops at Jen Suk operations base returned fire in self-defence in line with international principles, using one burst from a machine gun directed at the Chong An Ma market area.
- At 5.30am, at the Dan Klai East base, Cambodian soldiers continued to fire machine guns at Thai positions.
- At 5.36am, Thai troops returned fire in self-defence; there was no further response from the Cambodian side at that time.
- At 5.57am, troops at Rak Ya reported sighting about 50 Cambodian soldiers moving on foot from a casino up towards Hill 677.
- At 6am, in the Huai Bon area, Cambodian troops fired five rifle shots at Thai positions.
- At 6.07am, in the areas of Ton Manao base and Huai Bon base, Cambodian troops fired one mortar round at each location, for a total of two rounds.
- At 6.11am, one mortar round landed in an earth pit behind Talat Thai.
- At 6.17am, Jen Suk base responded with 60mm mortar fire against Cambodian positions, in what the report described as proportionate action in line with international norms.
- At 6.23am, mortar rounds were reported landing at three cliff-edge positions held by Thai forces.
