Phnom Penh, May 22, 2026 –The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia has categorically rejected allegations made by the Thai military regarding a reported gunfire incident in the Phnom Bak area of Samraong city, Oddar Meanchey province, describing the claims as false and misleading.
According to a press release issued on Friday by H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence, the Thai Army Spokesperson Team claimed that five gunshots were heard in the area at around 10:40 a.m. on May 22 and accused Cambodian forces of instigating the incident.
The Cambodian Defence Ministry denied the accusation, stating that the report was fabricated with the intention of creating confusion, misleading public opinion, and escalating tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The Ministry stressed that it could not accept the repeated dissemination of baseless allegations by the Thai military and certain Thai media outlets.
According to the statement, such claims not only damage the reputation and honour of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) but also undermine the mutual trust established through existing bilateral mechanisms between the two countries.
The spokeswoman called on the Thai side to immediately stop spreading slanderous reports and to return to the strict, full, and faithful implementation of all agreed frameworks.
She specifically referred to Point 8 of the Joint Statement issued following the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on Dec. 27, 2025, which calls for cooperation in combating fake news.
The Ministry emphasised that respecting this commitment is essential to rebuilding trust and creating conditions conducive to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law and bilateral agreements.
The Royal Government and the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia also reaffirmed their commitment to fully implementing the Joint Statement of the Third Special GBC Meeting, the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand signed on Oct. 26, 2025, and all other relevant agreements aimed at restoring peace, stability, and normalcy along the border.
By C. Nika
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