On November 12, Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire at the border and an explosion caused evacuations.
Tensions between the two countries have resumed after Bangkok suspended the peace agreement following a mine explosion on Monday, November 10.
See: Thailand–Cambodia: Peace agreement suspended after mine explosion
Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchange gunfire on the eastern border
Infantry soldiers take part in war preparation training in Sa Kaeo province, bordering Cambodia, on Tuesday, August 12. Photo: Royal Thai Army
A brief exchange of gunfire broke out on Wednesday, November 12, at the border between Thailand and Cambodia.
Cambodian media reported that five Cambodian civilians from Banteay Meanchey province, located opposite the Thai province of Sa Kaeo, were injured.
Major General Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Thai army, said that Cambodian forces fired on Thai territory at Baan Nong Ya Kaew, in Sa Kaeo province, at around 4 p.m.
He added that soldiers from the Burapa task force, responsible for security on the eastern border, had responded in accordance with the rules of engagement.
He specified that the exchange of fire lasted approximately 10 minutes and that there were no casualties on the Thai side.
Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cited a report from the Thai army confirming that Cambodian forces opened fire first.
"The Thai side acted in self-defense and to protect its sovereignty," he said, condemning the Cambodian practice of using civilians as human shields.
For his part, Maly Socheata, spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, said that five Cambodian civilians from the border village of Prey Chan, in Banteay Meanchey province, had been wounded by gunfire from Thai soldiers.
"This attack follows countless provocations by the Thai military over the past several days, aimed at provoking a confrontation," Maly Socheata said in a press release.
Cambodian media quoted local authorities as saying that the injured civilians had been transferred to Mongkol Borei Referral Hospital in Banteay Meanchey province for treatment.
The exchange of fire took place a day after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that Thailand was suspending the peace agreement signed with Cambodia after two Thai soldiers were wounded by a Cambodian mine on Monday.
Sources from the First Military Area and Task Force Burapha further confirmed that Lieutenant General Worayos Luangsuwan, commander of the First Military Area, had already given the order to stand ready.
The key points according to the Thai army are as follows:
- All the evidence is ready to be disclosed to the public.
- The evidence includes CCTV footage from the restricted area on the Thai side (not the border line, but inside Thai territory).
- The CCTV audio clearly indicates the direction of the shots and the type of weapon used.
- The shots came from the Cambodian side, in an area inaccessible to Thai troops, and were fired using a type of military weapon not used by Thai personnel.
- Cambodian sources report several Cambodian casualties, with some reports indicating five injured and possibly one dead.
- Attempts have been made to spread false information accusing the Thai authorities, which the First Army describes as completely false.
- The commander of the First Army ordered full operational preparation for all eventualities.
An explosion near the border triggers a temporary evacuation
Evacuation of civilians after an explosion on the border between Thailand and Cambodia on November 12, 2025. Photo: The Nation Thailand
A few hours later on the same day, an explosion opposite the Nong Ya Kaeo checkpoint in Sa Kaeo triggered evacuations on both sides of the border.
Thai authorities confirm that the explosion originated in Cambodia and reject reports accusing Thai forces.
A source from the Burapha task force reported that at about 7:30 p.m., a loud explosion was heard on the Cambodian side of the border, just opposite checkpoint 34 in Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province.
Some Thai residents have taken refuge in nearby shelters for their safety.
Military personnel confirmed that only one explosion was heard and that no gunfire was detected.
On the Cambodian side, residents living near the opposing checkpoints of Ban Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaew were also evacuated, fearing that a confrontation was underway.
The situation has been described as confusing and unclear.
Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat later clarified that the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs had verified the incident.
At 7:20 p.m., a noise similar to an explosion was reported near the border, and villagers were ordered to take shelter as a precaution.
He stressed that frontline and rear-echelon units remained on high alert and urged the public not to panic.
See also:
Crisis with Cambodia: Thailand ready to turn its back on the United States
Thailand-Cambodia conflict: areas banned from travel as of October 21, 2025
Thailand: Videos show Cambodian soldiers laying mines
Thailand: Cambodian soldiers spotted laying mines
Thailand – Cambodia: Civilians sacrificed to protect call centers?
Source: Thai PBS World , The Nation Thailand
Prepare your trip to Thailand
Book bus, train, boat in Thailand
Manage your money while traveling with Wise
Tailor-made travel with Evaneos
If our news, tourist or cultural information has been useful to you and you would like to thank us:
You can follow us on:
Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , Google News
Or install our application:
Install the All Thailand app on your smartphone
⚠️ Cryptocurrencies carry risks: Only invest amounts you are prepared to lose.
2 comments
Five Cambodians were wounded; it would be interesting to know what ammunition wounded them.
There is a chance that this was organized and that after the expected Thai response, Cambodian soldiers themselves fired on civilians in order to then accuse Thailand.
It's sad, but unfortunately they are capable of it, because they lack military power, so they try to portray themselves as victims in the eyes of the world.
That is indeed likely, dear "Hubert"...
Cambodian leaders have repeatedly demonstrated that they are sufficiently "twisted" to imagine completely implausible scenarios (except to themselves), while internationally absolving themselves of any belligerent action in order to portray themselves as a victim and innocent of any act of political and military aggression…
Cambodian leaders (the HUN family), as is well known, are angels and examples to follow at the political and democratic level, respecting to the letter the charter and the universal declaration of human rights.
The irrefutable proof lies in the highly "democratic" manner in which Hun Sen and his family members seized power 40 years ago, maintained it, and entrenched it until...???
The "HUN FAMILY Unlimited Company": they're all beautiful, they're all kind, and the others are villains and evil villains... Boo, hoo, hoo...
That's it!