STATEMENT OF CLARIFICATION REGARDING THE EXPLOSION INCIDENT ALONG THE THAILAND–CAMBODIA BORDER
7th July 2026

In reference to the public statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia concerning the explosion in Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province, on 5 July 2026, which reportedly injured four Cambodian soldiers, the Second Army Area considers it necessary to clarify the facts based on information currently available.

Preliminary information indicates that the explosion most likely originated from the detonation of an explosive device located within Cambodian-controlled territory. However, the Cambodian statement attempted to imply a connection between the incident and the presence of Thai military personnel conducting routine operations on the opposite side of the border within the sovereign territory of Thailand.

Following a comprehensive fact-finding inquiry, the Second Army Area has established that, prior to the incident, Thai security personnel assigned to provide force protection for a route construction mission approached Cambodian troops positioned near the border fence to notify them of the planned construction activities. The notification was conducted in accordance with established border coordination practices. Throughout the entire operation, Thai personnel remained exclusively within Thai sovereign territory and did not cross into Cambodian territory at any time.

The engagement between personnel from both sides was conducted in a professional, respectful, and cooperative manner. No verbal dispute, threat, hostile act, or use of force occurred. Upon completion of the coordination, both parties returned to their respective positions. Shortly thereafter, while Thai security personnel were withdrawing toward the construction site, an explosion occurred inside Cambodian-controlled territory beyond the Thai border fence. At no time did Thai forces employ force or conduct any military activity in the vicinity that could reasonably be associated with the incident.

According to the commander of the Thai security element, after the coordination concluded, he had moved approximately 50 meters away from the border fence into the Thai area of operations when he heard a single explosion originating from the Cambodian side, followed immediately by calls for assistance from Cambodian soldiers. At that moment, neither Thai personnel nor Cambodian personnel present at the scene were aware of the cause of the explosion.

The Second Army Area has also reviewed preliminary information and imagery currently available in the public domain. Visible injuries sustained by three Cambodian soldiers appear to be concentrated primarily on the soles of the feet, lower legs, and shins. The most seriously injured soldier suffered severe trauma to the left foot and shin, while the remaining casualties sustained comparatively minor injuries below the knees.

Based solely on observable injury patterns, these wounds appear to be more consistent with the effects of a ground-initiated explosion, such as a landmine, than with a hand grenade. In general, grenade detonations produce fragmentation injuries affecting multiple areas of the body—including the torso, upper extremities, and face—and typically result in a wider distribution of wounds than those observed in the publicly available images.

This assessment, however, remains preliminary and should not be interpreted as a definitive forensic conclusion. A final determination must be based upon scientific examination conducted by the appropriate authorities. Information collected by military units deployed in the area further indicates that the explosion occurred entirely within Cambodian-controlled territory. Consequently, several questions remain unresolved, including whether the incident resulted from the accidental detonation of a pre-existing explosive hazard or from an accident involving the handling of explosive ordnance by Cambodian personnel.

The Second Army Area reaffirms Thailand’s unwavering commitment to all existing bilateral agreements, established border management mechanisms, and confidence-building measures between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Cambodia. Thailand remains fully prepared to cooperate through established bilateral channels to determine the facts in a transparent, impartial, and evidence-based manner.

The Second Army Area respectfully calls upon all parties to refrain from speculation or assigning responsibility before the completion of the official investigation. Public statements concerning the incident should be based solely on verified facts and credible evidence in order to preserve mutual trust, maintain peace and stability along the Thailand–Cambodia border, and uphold the confidence of the international community.