Cambodia disputes Thai account of military movements at border

PHNOM PENH, April 3, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s defence ministry has rejected allegations by the Thai military of provocative actions along a disputed border section, calling the claims “entirely untrue and baseless.”

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for the Ministry of National Defence, said Cambodian forces had acted with restraint and in full compliance with military discipline and existing agreements.

The response followed a post on the Royal Thai Army’s official Facebook page on April 2 reporting the reinforcement of barbed wire and deployment of armoured vehicles at the O Smach crossing, which Thailand described as provocative.

Cambodia countered that the area remains part of its territory and accused Thai forces of illegal occupation.

According to the statement, Thai troops deployed two armoured vehicles and about 70 personnel to the crossing at 06:20 local time Thursday, while reinforcing barbed wire without notifying Cambodia’s Military Region 4 liaison team.

Phnom Penh said its officers contacted Thai counterparts in Military Region 2 to demand an immediate halt and urged adherence to existing agreements.

The ministry also cited a recent inspection by an Asean observer team, which verified conditions at the O Smach checkpoint on March 29.

Cambodia reiterated its commitment to a ceasefire and to accords reached between the two countries, including a joint declaration signed in October 2025 and outcomes from a bilateral border committee meeting in December.

The defence ministry urged Thailand to “reciprocate” Cambodia’s goodwill to maintain peace and stability along the frontier.

Tensions have periodically flared between the neighbours over contested border areas, though both governments have pledged to resolve disputes through dialogue.