Former army chief: Border tensions paused, Cambodia soldiers often start provocations

2026-01-27 - 05:29

NAKHON NAYOK — A former Thai army commander has said the situation along the Thai–Cambodian border remains at a ceasefire stage, with both sides holding positions while awaiting talks between the two governments. Gen. Boonsin Phadklang, former commander of the Second Army Region, said on Monday that the current focus was on maintaining calm and allowing negotiations to move forward. Speaking at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School in Ban Na district, Nakhon Nayok, Boonsin said forces on both sides were under orders to observe a ceasefire and avoid escalation. “At the moment, it is a ceasefire and troop containment. We are waiting for those in authority from both governments to discuss how to move peace forward,” he said. Asked about video clips circulating online that appear to show Cambodian soldiers engaging in provocative behaviour, Boonsin said isolated incidents were possible given the length of the border, which stretches more than 1,000 kilometres. He said in some areas troops from both sides maintain good relations, while in others there may be personnel who lack discipline. Thai soldiers, he added, have been instructed to adhere strictly to agreed rules. “From the clips that have emerged, most of the incidents appear to have been initiated by Cambodian soldiers,” Boonsin said, adding that such actions should be seen as warnings and that neither side wants the situation to spiral into a wider confrontation. He stressed the importance of restraint on the ground while diplomatic channels remain the key mechanism for resolving tensions along the border.