"Thai Army Spokesperson" Explains Cambodian Gunfire at Border Hoping for Thai Retaliation

Today (14 May 2026) at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters, Major General Winthai Suvari, Spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, addressed the incident where Cambodian soldiers fired small arms from the Cambodian side along the O'Semed area, opposite the Chong Chom border crossing in Kab Choeng District, Surin Province, totaling 11 rounds. He stated that in the past, high-ranking commanders, including the Cambodian government, often said one thing, but their actions on the ground contradicted it.

Major General Winthai said that since the ceasefire, gunfire and explosions have continued, which he views as provocative behavior. However, he emphasized that the intention was not to harm Thai civilians or personnel, but merely to create annoyance and tension in the border area. Similar incidents have occurred several times earlier this year, and he believes this is not the first time such an event has happened. However, these incidents have been occurring continuously along the Thai-Cambodian border, with forces in the area constantly reporting information. It is assessed that the main cause stems from a lack of discipline among Cambodian soldiers. At the same time, in some cases, there is deliberate provocation aimed at inciting Thai forces to retaliate with weapons, which are then used to falsely accuse Thailand of initiating the conflict.

Major General Winthai added that sometimes the Cambodian side attempts to bring foreign individuals or media, especially influencers, close to restricted areas. When Thai soldiers fire warning shots as per procedure, the images or information are then disseminated, claiming that Thailand initiated the conflict. The Thai army is aware of and understands these tactics. Overall, Cambodia continues to prioritize information warfare over actual military confrontation. This is evident in every incident where Cambodian military leaders or spokespersons quickly deny the facts, reflecting problems with communication and the chain of command between policy levels and operational units on the ground.

When asked how Thailand would respond if actual firing occurred but Cambodia continued to deny it, Major General Winthai stated that if the use of weapons impacts Thai territory, Thailand is prepared to retaliate immediately, depending on the discretion of the responsible units in each area, as the context and relationships on the ground differ.

Regarding concerns among border residents due to rapidly spreading news via social media, Major General Winthai stated that the shooting incident was a form of "provocation" and did not yet affect the lives or safety of the public. He urged the public to heed warnings from official authorities such as village headmen, community leaders, or local administrative officials. If there are no warnings, people can continue their lives as normal.

"I confirm that the army is not complacent and is monitoring the situation day by day and week by week. However, until now, there has been no information indicating an escalation to the use of heavy weapons. Therefore, the only remaining concern is the communication field, which the Cambodian side continues to use," Major General Winthai said.

Furthermore, when asked about fake news, particularly the fake audio clip of the prime minister regarding the reopening of border crossings, which was circulated on the Cambodian side, Major General Winthai stated that all sectors must work together to create understanding within society and urged the public to primarily rely on information from official government agencies.

"Regarding the fake audio clip of the prime minister, it is difficult to believe. The public should be aware of the current state of communication, as many instances aim to negatively impact Thailand. Therefore, critical thinking is necessary when consuming news, and it is crucial to obtain information from official sources," Major General Winthai concluded.