On 1 August 2025 at 10:40 AM at Fort Sapprasiththiprasong (Military District 22), Ubon Ratchathani Province, Mr. Jirayu Huangsub, official spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office and spokesman for the Thai‑Cambodian Border Situation Task Force (ศบ.ทก.), announced that the Thai government—through the ศบ.ทก., Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Government House, and the Public Relations Department—organized a site visit for foreign envoys. The delegation included:
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3 Ambassadors (Brunei, Japan, Myanmar)
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2 Deputy Ambassadors (Malaysia, Laos)
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Senior diplomatic representatives from 6 countries (Indonesia, USA, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Philippines)
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Military attachés and defense representatives from 23 countries including China, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, India, Canada, France, USA, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland
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Approximately 110 Thai journalists from 18 media outlets/agencies
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About 39 foreign journalists representing 23 international media organizations (such as Agencia EFE, AFP, Asahi Shimbun, CNN, CCTV, CMG, NHK, Reuters, Xinhua)
They received a briefing on the damage in the border zone and official Thai facts regarding Cambodian ceasefire violations.
The briefing was led by:
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Mr. Rasm Chaleejan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Major General Norathep Poynok, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Army Region
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Major General Winthai Suwaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army
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Lt. Colonel Patthana Phanmongkhon, representative of the Army Intelligence
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Acting Major Adisak Noisuwan, Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province
Lt. Colonel Patthana Phanmongkhon, representing the Army Intelligence Department, summarized as follows:
1. Incident chronology and facts:
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Since early 2025, Cambodia has escalated provocations via military and civilian activities, including patriotic music in Angkor Temples (13 Feb), burning of public halls (28 Feb), terrain alteration in border zones (Mar–Apr), deployment of forces and armaments near the border (Apr–May), illicit digging of trenches into Thai territory, and deployment of PMN‑2 mines causing Thai casualties—a serious breach of the Ottawa Convention.
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Cambodian uniformed and plainclothes personnel staged provocations at Ta Kwai and Ta Meuan temples, resulting in persistent clashes with Thai forces.
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Thailand responded by fortifying with barbed-wire fences. On 24 July, Cambodian troops fired on Thai soldiers near Ta Meuan Temple, escalating to artillery and BM‑21 rocket attacks targeting Thai civilians deep inside Thailand—including hospitals, gas stations, shops, schools, and homes in Surin, Buriram, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani—resulting in 15 injured, 36 killed (including one child), and over 150,000 displaced.
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Thailand responded only under Article 51 of the UN Charter—necessary and proportionate self-defense aimed strictly at military targets. Cambodia firing from civilian areas and using human shields was noted.
2. Current situation:
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Despite the 28 July ceasefire talks in Malaysia, Cambodia continued violations: incursions at six locations (Chong Bok, Sam Tae, Pha Mor E Daeng, Phu Ma Khua/Khanmar, Phlan Yao, Ta Kwai) late into the night of 30 July.
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By 31 July, Cambodia had escalated force build‑up and deployed drones over Thai territory for surveillance—demonstrating strategic bad faith.
3. Thai rejection of Cambodian misinformation:
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Cambodia spread multiple falsehoods:
a) Alleging Thai aggression and sovereignty breaches—Thailand asserts compliance with UN Charter Article 51, exercising necessary, proportionate self‑defense.
b) Claiming chemical bombs were used—absolutely false; Thailand does not possess, use, or stockpile chemical weapons. The image shown by Cambodia was from California wildfire response in 2022.
c) Alleging Thailand used F‑16s and heavy armaments on civilians—incorrect, as weapons were used defensively and solely against military targets.
4. False claims of MK‑84 bombs on civilian homes:
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Cambodia’s CMAC presented old imagery from the Vietnam War era and misattributed it to Thailand. Thailand categorically denies this and calls for Cambodia to stop spreading such misinformation. It invites cooperation with Thailand and the international community to resolve the situation peacefully.
5. Thai position:
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Thailand emphasizes the confrontation stemmed from Cambodian aggression—heavy, continuous weapon strikes on civilian zones even after declared ceasefire. Cambodia also persistently violated the ceasefire and disseminated systematic false narratives. Thailand urges the international community to follow developments with accurate context and support bilateral peace talks.
Deputy Foreign Minister Rasm Chaleejan further emphasized that the visit was transparent and open—it included ASEAN diplomats from 8 countries, ceasefire mediation observers, military envoys, and domestic/foreign media. Thailand respects press freedom and aimed to provide the global community with verifiable facts on the ground. Honest information is vital to facilitate dialogue rooted in principles and goodwill, paving the way to peaceful, bilateral resolution under international law. Thailand reaffirmed its restraint and stance under the UN Charter and customary international law.
He reiterated that the most incontrovertible evidence is that Cambodia attacked hospitals, schools, homes, businesses, and fuel stations—resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children. These attacks compelled Thailand to respond to protect sovereignty and civilian lives.
Finally, Acting Major Adisak Noisuwan, Governor of Ubon Ratchathani, reported that more than 20,000 residents had been evacuated to over 68 shelters some 70 km from the border. Evacuees face severe hardship; three hospitals and 20 health promotion centers were closed. Ubon residents suffered both human and property loss—including one civilian death and significant damage to homes and assets.
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