Thai - Cambodia Conflict Sound Cannon Chaos: Thai Army Rumbles Over Border Dispute

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

As Thai forces deploy sound cannons to repel Cambodians accused of invading a border village, tensions in Sa Kaeo have escalated. The dramatic incident unfolded when a mix of Cambodian civilians and soldiers breached the Thai boundary, tearing down barriers in Baan Nong Chan.

 

Thai authorities, led by Deputy Defence Minister General Natthaphon Nakphanich, responded swiftly. The 1st Army Region rolled out long-range acoustic devices (LRADs) to push back the intruders. The situation ignited on August 25, with Cambodians allegedly crossing into Khok Sung district, triggering a robust response from Thai troops.

 

Gen. Natthaphon emphatically stated, "The incursion must stop: Baan Nong Chan is Thai land." He assured that police would be brought in alongside army units if tensions continue to escalate, and the government has a strategy to increase measures if the situation worsens. The First Army also reinforced its defences in Baan Nong Chan, gearing up for a visit from Sa Kaeo governor Parinya Phothisat to discuss ongoing land ownership concerns.

 

Major General Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, declared the territory unquestionably Thai while recognising its complex past. Baan Nong Chan has previously served as a refuge for Cambodians escaping conflict, with many never returning when peace prevailed in Cambodia. "Some of those refugees never returned home when Cambodia stabilised. They remained in Baan Nong Chan illegally for the past 20 years," he noted.

 

Officials are on high alert, declaring this clash one of the most severe in recent history, as disputes over land rights simmer along the Thai-Cambodian border. Residents fear escalation, and the rare use of LRADs, typically reserved for major protests, signals the gravity of the threat.

 

The Bangkok Post reports that patrols in the border zone have been increased, with both military and police working together to prevent further entry attempts. Diplomats are keeping a close watch, with Thai officials vowing to protect national territory while maintaining some degree of control over the standoff.

 

The villagers, trapped in this tense atmosphere, remain hopeful that a swift resolution can prevent further conflict. With the border flashpoint igniting passions on both sides, the coming days are crucial in determining the stability of the region.

 

The situation underscores long-standing tensions and complex historical ties between Thailand and Cambodia, serving as a reminder of the delicate nature of border relations in a region with a troubled past.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-27

 

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17 minutes ago, webfact said:

Cambodians accused of invading a border village, tensions in Sa Kaeo have escalated

Cambodian, the Masters at Antagonizing 

 

Saw this stupid video the other, it explains a lot of what is going on.