Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha has rejected claims that the government concealed information about recent border tensions, stressing that Cambodia remains committed to the ceasefire and will not allow its people to be used for political manipulation.
“No leader should use his own people as a shield or a pawn to protect personal interests, as some traitorous leaders who live comfortably abroad do,” Seiha said on Tuesday.
The minister clarified that Cambodian troops stationed at O’Bei Choan commune in Banteay Meanchey are unarmed and have been exercising restraint since July 28, to prevent provoking further armed conflict.
“Our forces are not armed at the scene. We are determined to effectively implement the ceasefire,” he said.
Confusion spread on social media after conflicting accounts emerged regarding events on August 25.
On August 25, Thai military forces attempted to install razor wire in Chok Chey village, O’Bei Choan commune, Banteay Meanchey, opposite Nong Chan village in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province.
Unlike previous installations in recent weeks, the attempt was blocked when Cambodian villagers and local authorities confronted them and stopped the work.
“They were met with strong opposition by local villagers and authorities, forcing the Thai soldiers to withdraw their razor wire,” according to defence ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.
The ministry reported calm conditions between midnight and 6am, while the confrontation broke out at 2,20pm.
Seiha said provincial authorities and security forces were present at the time and the ministry released two further updates that day.
He reiterated that the ministry provides regular information through official broadcasts twice daily at 7am and 4pm, to summarise border events, meetings and ceasefire implementation.
Allegations of concealment, he added, stemmed from selective interpretation of those reports.
Cambodia and Thailand are scheduled to hold an extraordinary Regional Border Committee meeting between Military Region 4 and Army Region 2 on August 27, followed by a General Border Committee meeting in Phnom Penh on September 9–10.
“Protecting the country and protecting the borders is not a small matter, and information cannot be twisted,” Seiha said.
“The Cambodian leadership are professional, and we will not lead the country into another war like in the past,” he added.
