Five Gunshots Echo at Surin Border; Military Says Cambodia Deliberately Provoked, Orders Forces to Maintain Rules of Engagement
Five gunshots were fired from Cambodian territory near Border Marker 18 in Surin province on May 21, with the Thai military characterizing the incident as deliberate provocation and vowing to lodge a formal protest through diplomatic channe
On May 22, 2569, Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Winthhai Suwari disclosed that the Thai Army received a report on May 21 from Unit 2603 of the Suranari Task Force while conducting fortification improvements at Border Marker 18 in Kabchoeng district, Surin province. At 14:20, troops heard five small-caliber gunshots originating from the south at approximately 600 meters away, within Cambodian-controlled territory. After hearing the shots, the troops ceased activity and conducted thorough observation but detected nothing unusual and resumed their mission. No Thai personnel were injured and no return fire was initiated to avoid revealing Thai positions and troop deployment. The Suranari Task Force has ordered units to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to rules of engagement according to the situation. While Cambodia's actions appear to be long-range provocation, they clearly constitute behavior in violation of the joint statement. The Suranari Task Force will lodge a protest with Cambodia through established coordination channels in the area.
