Shootout at Thailand-Cambodia Border Kills Cambodian Soldier

A brief armed engagement took place in a disputed border area between the Thai and Cambodian military forces. Both parties are currently pursuing a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The Associated Press reported on this.

The 10-minute firefight occurred on May 27, when troops encountered each other in historically contested territory near Hill 496, located close to Chong Bok district in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province and Preah Vihear in Cambodia.

The Cambodian side stated that its troops were conducting a routine patrol when Thai soldiers opened fire on them, resulting in the death of 48-year-old Sergeant Suan Roan.

The Thai side claims that Cambodian soldiers entered the disputed area and opened fire when Thai soldiers approached for negotiations. Their forces reportedly suffered no casualties.

According to participants in the clash, the firing was quickly halted by unit commanders, who held negotiations and decided to withdraw.

The firefight lasted for more or less an hour.

/3 pic.twitter.com/DcmMtrK2vV

— T-55AM1 (@ShepherdClavis) May 29, 2025

Later, General Pana Klaewplodthuk, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, met with his Cambodian counterpart, General Mao Sophan, at the border checkpoint and expressed condolences over the death of the Cambodian soldier.

Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvari stated that both sides agreed to withdraw their troops and will jointly seek peaceful solutions through special joint committees on border issues between the two countries in the coming weeks.

He added that forces from both sides have already withdrawn from the clash area back to their regular positions as part of the de-escalation efforts. At the same time, numerous local reports present a contrasting view of the situation, indicating troop and equipment build-ups by both sides closer to the disputed region.

GRK mobilisation, with the following vehicles:

– Various pickup trucks (mostly Mazda BT-50)

– 4 x ShaanXi Baoji Tiger 4×4 LAPC

– 2 x Dongfeng EQ1120 4×4 cargo truck

– 4 x Hyundai Mighty 4×4 cargo truck

– 1 x Hongyan Genlyon 6×6 cargo truck

/21 pic.twitter.com/90AAV9Qp8I

— T-55AM1 (@ShepherdClavis) May 29, 2025

The clash between the parties occurred against the backdrop of rising tensions over disputed territories at the junction of the borders of Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand—an area also known as Sector M-3. This was preceded by a series of incidents involving arson and unrest at temples.

Despite the 2013 International Court of Justice ruling confirming Cambodia’s sovereignty over the territory, tensions in the region periodically flare up.