Suspended Thai PM Paetongtarn condemns Cambodia's 'use of violence' along disputed borders

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the suspended Prime Minister of Thailand, has come out to condemn Cambodia for perpetuating violence along their countries' shared border.

"I condemn Cambodia for the use of violence and act of aggression along the Thai border," Paetongtarn wrote in a Facebook post.

Paetongtarn claimed Cambodia "initiated use of arms"

The suspended prime minister claimed that Cambodia had initiated the use of arms and fired into Thai territory, affecting both officials and civilians.

"Such action constitutes a clear violation of international legal norms, especially fundamental human rights and ethical principles," Paetongtarn said.

She said that Thailand has made "every effort" to avoid confrontation, including engaging in diplomatic dialogue and being committed to peaceful means.

Paetongtarn said that every relevant agency is working to the fullest capacity.

"I sincerely hope that the ongoing measures will bring an end to violence and bring back peace to the people at the earliest opportunity," she said.

"As a highest priority, I urge all citizens to follow the government’s safety protocols to preserve lives and property."

Clash at disputed area

Thai and Cambodian troops clashed at a disputed area along the border in the early morning of Jul. 24, 2025.

In a statement posted on social media, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) claimed that Cambodian soldiers opened fire around 8:20am in an area about 200 metres away from disputed Ta Muen Thom temple, which is located on the Thai–Cambodian border.

Thai newspaper Khaosod claimed that Thai soldiers retaliated in self-defence, and clashing ensued.

A Thai army spokesperson said that two Thai soldiers were wounded, according to Reuters.

The spokesperson claimed that Cambodia had used multiple weapons, including rocket launchers.

However, a spokesperson for Cambodia's defence ministry said Cambodian forces responded in self-defence due to an "unprovoked incursion" by Thai troops.

The Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation was delicate.

"We have to be careful. We will follow international law," he told the media, as quoted by Reuters.

A day before, on Jul. 23, Thailand degraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia following a landmine incident that injured a Thai soldier along the border, Al Jazeera reported.

The Thai government recalled the country's ambassador to Cambodia, and said it will expel Cambodia's ambassador.

Dispute over landmines

Border tensions between the two countries have reignited since a brief border skirmish on May 28, 2025, that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

The fallout from the incident, including a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, led to the ousting of Paetongtarn as Thailand's prime minister.

Although tensions later simmered, Thailand and Cambodia are now embroiled in a dispute over landmines along the border.

Thailand has accused Cambodia of recently placing landmines on the Thai side of the disputed border area after three soldiers were injured, Reuters reported on Jul. 21.

However, Cambodia denied that new mines had been planted, and said the soldiers had veered into an area in Cambodian territory that contained unexploded landmines left behind from decades of war.

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Top image via Ing Shinawatra/Facebook