Cambodia Defense Ministry Vehemently Denies Thai General's 'First Strike' Allegations

The Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia has vehemently denied the unsubstantiated and false claims made by Lieutenant General Prapas Sonjaidee, Director of the Thai Joint Information Center, accusing Cambodia of initiating the first attack. Cambodia reiterates that it was the Thai side that first launched an armed attack against Cambodia. Therefore, the Thai side, as the aggressor, cannot play the role of victim and use self-defense as a pretext to legitimize its illegal military actions. The ministry highlighted that days before the unprovoked armed attack on Cambodia on July 24, 2025, the Thai side announced its war preparedness plan, "Chakrabongse Bhuvanath." This plan clearly indicates that Thailand's military actions were meticulously planned and deliberately executed, contradicting the Thai assertion that its use of force was merely a response in self-defense. In this context, Thailand's attempt to use accusations of incitement, security concerns, and landmines as reasons to obstruct or delay the continuation of border demarcation work is inconsistent with the spirit and commitment outlined in the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025. Cambodia therefore calls on the Thai side to fully, effectively, and promptly implement the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025, particularly by expediting the border demarcation work of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) in accordance with the existing agreements between the two countries. Cambodia remains firmly committed to seeking a just, peaceful, and permanent solution to border issues based on international law and existing treaties and agreements between Cambodia and Thailand. Simultaneously, Cambodia will absolutely not accept the use of force or the creation of faits accomplis as a means to determine or alter the border between the two countries. Source: AKP Khmer