At a routine press conference this afternoon, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang addressed reports of a recent armed clash between Cambodian and Thai soldiers at the disputed border area. The incident occurred shortly after the conclusion of the ASEAN Summit.

Hang confirmed that both sides had issued official communications regarding the incident. “We believe that all disagreements should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means, in line with the agreements between the two countries, ASEAN’s spirit of solidarity, and international law,” she stated.

On May 28, Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged gunfire at a disputed border area between Preah Vihear Province (Cambodia) and Ubon Ratchathani Province (Thailand). The brief confrontation resulted in casualties. Following the incident, both sides held a phone call and agreed to a ceasefire.

Soldiers from both countries have since returned to their original positions and are awaiting further instructions from their superiors. The last serious armed clash between the two nations occurred in 2011, involving the ancient Preah Vihear temple area - a long-standing flashpoint in their territorial dispute.

Thailand’s Prime Minister stated on May 28 that the commander of the Thai armed forces had instructed troops to exercise “maximum restraint” to avoid escalating tensions at the border.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Prime Minister affirmed that military communication channels between the two countries remain open to prevent further escalation, restore order, and maintain a constructive relationship between their armed forces.

Tran Thuong