BANGKOK, THAILAND – A 40-millimetre mortar round fired from Cambodian positions landed on Thai territory near the northeastern border province of Si Sa Ket, prompting a warning shot in response but causing no injuries, according to the Royal Thai Army.
Border incident near Si Sa Ket
The Royal Thai Army reported that the incident occurred at about 8:50 a.m. near Phlan Hin Paet Kon in Si Sa Ket, a sensitive border area under the responsibility of the Suranaree Task Force. A regular Thai border patrol had been on duty when Cambodian forces allegedly fired a single 40-millimetre mortar round, which exploded near the patrol point without causing damage or casualties.
Thai troops answer with warning shot
Thai soldiers then fired back with an M79 grenade launcher toward the suspected origin of the mortar fire, army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said on 24 February. The army stressed that the use of the M79 was intended as a warning shot and was carried out as a self-defence measure to protect its soldiers and secure the assigned area.
Army cites breach of ceasefire deal
Winthai said the Cambodian shot violated the ceasefire agreement that both sides had endorsed in a joint statement on 27 December 2025.
“The Cambodian fire constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement signed by both sides and marks a serious deviation from the agreed mechanisms for de-escalation along the shared, repeatedly tension-prone border.”
said Winthai Suvaree, army spokesperson.
Possible link to troop rotation
An initial Thai assessment suggested the incident could have been linked to a troop rotation on the Cambodian side involving newly deployed personnel. According to the army, limited familiarity of these forces with local procedures and command structures might have played a role, while Thai units simultaneously strengthened their security measures and intensified monitoring of the situation.
Protection of soldiers and civilians a priority
Army statements said deployed units were ordered to operate with increased caution and to keep close watch along the border line. The armed forces underlined that the protection of soldiers and the civilian population in the border area remained the highest priority, while the situation after the limited exchange of fire was reported to be under control for the time being.