Cambodia Investigates Border Blast Injuring Four Soldiers; Thailand Denies Involvement

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence says it is conducting a comprehensive investigation into a border explosion that injured four Cambodian soldiers in Oddar Meanchey province, while reaffirming its commitment to implementing the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire agreement signed in December last year. The incident occurred at about 12.35pm on Sunday, July 5, as Cambodian troops were conducting a routine patrol in a cashew plantation at Chouk Kruos area in Thmar Daun village, Kok Mon commune, Banteay Ampil district, according to a ministry statement released on Monday, July 7. The ministry said the Cambodian patrol encountered a Thai military patrol which was operating on the opposite side of a barbed-wire fence. Shortly after the two patrols had passed each other, an explosive device detonated behind the Cambodian patrol. Four Cambodian soldiers sustained shrapnel injuries and are receiving medical treatment, the ministry said. “Concerning the above explosive incident, the frontline Command Post and expert teams are conducting a comprehensive, meticulous investigation to determine the cause of the explosion, so as to bring forth facts for both our forces and the public,” the statement said. The ministry did not attribute responsibility for the explosion, saying the investigation remains ongoing. The incident drew widespread public attention after photographs and videos showing the injured soldiers circulated widely on Cambodian social media. In its statement, the defence ministry reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to the Joint Statement adopted during the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025, as well as the October 26, 2025 peace declaration and other bilateral agreements. “The Royal Government and the ministry reaffirm our firm, sincere and unwavering commitment to fully and faithfully respect and implement the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025, the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on October 26, 2025, and all other relevant agreements,” it said. It added that Cambodia remained committed to restoring normalcy and achieving “long-lasting peace and stability” along the shared border. The December 27 Joint Statement committed both countries to an immediate ceasefire, maintaining existing troop positions, refraining from provocative military activities and resolving border issues through established bilateral mechanisms. Thailand’s 2nd Army Region rejected allegations that Thai troops were responsible for the explosion. “Thailand’s investigation confirmed their troops never fired any weapons, asserting the blast happened entirely in Cambodian territory,” according to Thai media.