Tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border intensified on 18 June 2025, as Thai military officials presented satellite imagery they claim proves Cambodian forces, not Thailand, were responsible for recent trench alterations near the disputed boundary areas.
According to the Thai Army, new evidence, including satellite images and internal records, contradicts recent allegations from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who accused Thailand of daily military activities that included trench digging, drone deployment, and heavy weapon stockpiling along contested sections of the border. These operations, Cambodia alleges, breached a 2000 Memorandum of Understanding and disregarded outcomes from the most recent Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) talks held in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence asserted that Thai forces had infringed on Cambodian territorial sovereignty in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces. The ministry claimed that Thai troops had constructed new military infrastructure and deployed forces beyond agreed positions.
Thailand, however, has denied the accusations. Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree stated that satellite data clearly indicates that Cambodian troops had re-excavated trenches they had previously filled in, suggesting that the activities were initiated on the Cambodian side of the border. He added that the Thai Army operates under strict internal protocols and emphasized that all military actions are verifiable and aligned with established agreements.
Winthai also expressed concern over the dissemination of conflicting reports, urging the public to consider the source and credibility of such claims before drawing conclusions.
Senior officials from both sides, including defence personnel and military representatives, were present during recent border inspections and briefings, but no consensus has yet been reached regarding the interpretation of the evidence.
