The Second Army Region Operations Centre has reported that Cambodian troops moved heavy weapons, including a tank, to a firing position opposite Kantharalak district in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province on Wednesday.
The centre stated, on its official Facebook page, that the reinforcement of direct-fire support weapons is believed to be in preparation for possible military action against Thailand and is being viewed as a continued violation of the existing ceasefire agreement by Cambodia.
The location of the deployment is opposite Chong Ta Thao, near Phra Viharn Hill in Saothongchai sub-district, approximately 300 meters from the Thai military line.
At around 8.50pm, Thai troops stationed in the Chong Krang area of Tameang sub-district, in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province, heard a single gunshot from the east, roughly 150 metres from the Thai barbed-wire fence.
They also observed approximately five lights within 100 meters of the fence, followed by three rounds of small-arms fire directed toward Thai positions.
It is assessed that Cambodian soldiers were attempting to approach the fence to probe Thai troop deployments and provoke a response.
At approximately 2.50am this morning, Thai soldiers manning the Sam Yaek checkpoint, also in Tameang, heard an explosion about 150 metres to the south, adjacent to the Thai-built barbed-wire fence.
The blast is believed to have been caused by a hand grenade thrown towards Thai positions, another test of Thai defensive arrangements.
Thai forces exercised restraint, refrained from retaliation and suffered no casualties, in accordance with their commitment to de-escalation and the prevention of any outbreak of violence.
