Artillery training in question rejected as unfounded concerns by Seiha
Title: Cambodian Defense Minister Clarifies Artillery Aimed at Thai Border
Cambodian Defense Minister Addresses Thai Border Concerns
In a no-holds-barred social media post on June 16, Cambodian Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha tackled accusations head-on, squashing Thai claims that Cambodia has trained artillery pieces at Thai villages and military installations.
Seiha's strong stance followed reports suggesting Cambodian soldiers targeted Thai territory, allegations he swiftly dismissed as nothing more than speculation fueled by misunderstandings and misconstrued military strategies.
"Our national defense strategy brings weapons to the forefront to protect our territorial integrity. Naturally, the targets are aimed at potential adversaries, never our own lands," Seiha declared, making it clear that Cambodia holds no intentions of invading Thailand or any neighboring countries.
He reiterated that diplomatic negotiations between the two governments would pave the way towards resolving concerns on political, economic, and other fronts. Only as a last resort would military action be considered, to safeguard Cambodian territory.
Such an assertive response may have been prompted by a controversial piece published on our website, entitled "Thai Army Adjusts Troop Positions after Cambodian Artillery Aimed at Border." The article suggested that Cambodian troops had been stationed near the Thailand-Cambodia border, with artillery trained towards Thai territory, leading to security measures being implemented in response.
Royal Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree had previously expressed concerns over online photos showing Cambodian soldiers "targeting Thai territory near the Don Tuan Temples and Satta Sommountain, in Ban Phumsarol and Sao Thong Chai subdistricts, of Si Sa Ket province's Kantharalak district."
The ongoing border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand have their roots in a 1907 map created under French colonial rule, stirring up periodic tensions throughout history. Even though both nations have attempted to de-escalate the situation through discussions, the lingering animosity continues, with both sides constantly engaged in a heated exchange of words to foster their respective nationalist sentiments.
Recent events led Cambodia to seek resolution through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), but Thailand maintains the ICJ lacks jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach to the dialogue, with another scheduled meeting set for September.
By: Niem Chheng
The Phnom Penh Post
Asia News Network
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[1] Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2025). Dispute over Preah Vihear Temple. Retrieved from https://www.mfaic.gov.kh/en/our-issues/dispute-over-preah-vihear-temp[2] Thai Public Broadcasting Service. (2025). Thailand-Cambodia border dispute timeline. Retrieved from https://www.pbc.co.th/en/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-timeline/
- Amidst the ongoing tension between Cambodia and Thailand, the General-news regarding the border disputes has been at the forefront of Politics discussions, as both countries continue their diplomatic and military maneuvers to safeguard their territorial integrity.
- The Politics surrounding the Cambodian-Thai border conflict have deep historical roots, with the 1907 map created under French colonial rule still causing controversy and fueling persistent animosity between the two nations, resulting in recurring episodes of tension.
