CMAC: Thailand has no excuse for shelling Cambodia because there is evidence
By Cambodia Daily
The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) claims that Thailand has no reasonable excuse for firing artillery shells into Cambodian territory because there are clear codes identifying the date and country of manufacture, as well as the manufacturer.
The Director-General of the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), Mr. Heng Ratana, wrote on his Facebook page on September 29 that the Thai military shelling of Cambodia last weekend. Thailand was the one who started firing on Cambodia first, while Cambodian forces did not fire back.
The same source claims that the Thai army’s artillery shelling on September 27 was the same as their shelling of Phlok Damrey village, Thma Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province on July 26, 2025. Thailand was the first to fire on Cambodia, aiming to expand the battlefield along the border with Cambodia.
Mr. Heng Ratana stated that the shelling by Thai soldiers on the area of Thma Da commune, Pursat province, in the past, the CMAC unit has clearly identified the shells and there is evidence that they were fired from the air in which country are those shells manufactured and which country uses them, while Cambodia does not have such shells.
On September 28, 2025, Khaosod News quoted Royal Thai Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree as saying that the Cambodian side used multiple weapons to fire into Thai territory in the Chong Bok area in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand.
The same source claims that the use of such weapons is a major issue that the Interim Observer Team (IOT) must thoroughly investigate, as it is a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
However, Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata issued a press release this Saturday that on September 27, 2025, the Thai military began firing first on Cambodian force positions for two times in the An Ses area, in An Ses village, Choam Ksan commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, from 11:52 a.m. to 12:46 p.m.
Regarding this issue, ruling party leader Hun Sen on September 28 requested that the (IOT) inspect the site of the shelling and conduct forensic examinations of the shells to ensure integrity, transparency, neutrality, and credibility in the implementation of the ceasefire.
Hun Sen stated that if any party refuses to allow the transitional observers to inspect, it is considered that party is the shooter and is also the one violating the ceasefire.
