Thai army confirms normal relations with Cambodia amid Ta Muen Thom incident
Thai Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang has affirmed that the Thai-Cambodian border situation remains normal despite a recent assault involving a Cambodian soldier. Both sides have addressed the incident diplomatically to maintain positive relations.
Key points summary:
- Lt Gen Boonsin stated the Thai-Cambodian border remains peaceful and stable.
- Thailand apologised to Cambodia after a Thai tourist assaulted a Cambodian soldier.
- The military urged tourists to act calmly and avoid creating provocative content.
The situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains normal and stable, according to Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the Second Army Region.
Speaking to the media on 15 July 2025 at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai Campus, he emphasised that relations between Thailand and Cambodia are moving in a positive direction. He confirmed that continuous discussions are held with local unit commanders to maintain stability.
However, future developments depend on government-level policies from both countries.
Addressing the recent incident in which a Thai tourist assaulted a Cambodian soldier near the Ta Muen Thom temple, Lt Gen Boonsin stated that Thailand has formally apologised to the Cambodian soldier involved.
He added that the soldier did not pursue further action regarding the incident. Lt Gen Boonsin urged tourists to exercise self-restraint and remain mindful, stressing that such actions directly affect international relations.
Both governments have already been informed, and tourists have been asked to maintain a peaceful and respectful attitude when visiting border areas.
He also commented on online content showing Thai or Cambodian soldiers being provoked or edited footage that could lead to misunderstandings. He expressed the military’s desire to prevent such content and mentioned that stricter monitoring measures will be enforced to mitigate these issues.
Regarding the remarks by Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate, who warned that building a fence around the Ta Muen Thom temple could escalate tensions, Lt Gen Boonsin acknowledged that Cambodia does not recognise certain border demarcations in that area.
He noted that while there is potential for conflict if a fence is constructed, the Thai military would comply with any government orders. Therefore, he stressed the need for thorough consideration before taking such measures.
The Second Army Region is prepared to act in line with national directives, using the official 1:50,000 scale map as their guide. Lt Gen Boonsin highlighted that map markers on platforms like Google Maps do not hold any legal significance and are regarded as technical issues that governments must resolve. These digital designations can change and should not be a source of dispute.
According to him, these factors do not create substantial problems on the ground. Lt Gen Boonsin also mentioned that there has been no progress regarding the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting. He indicated that further time would be required before any updates can be shared.
Despite the recent tensions and isolated incidents, the Thai military maintains a strong commitment to preserving stability and ensuring that any measures taken are in accordance with bilateral agreements and national policies.
As of 15 July 2025, both governments continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent escalation and safeguard cross-border cooperation.