Bangkok, December 13th, 2025
The Royal Thai Army on Saturday issued a sharp condemnation of Cambodian forces for reportedly firing BM-21 multiple rocket launchers into a civilian area in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, injuring four Thai civilians as they rushed toward a shelter following warning sirens.
The incident occurred early this morning in Village No. 1, Sao Thong Chai subdistrict, where rockets landed directly in front of a designated bomb shelter, says the Royal Thai Army. The victims, who had heard evacuation alerts and were running for safety, were struck by shrapnel from the explosions.
The two most seriously injured individuals were:
– Mr. Kaew Kinnara, who suffered a broken right arm.
– Mr. Rampai Suwansilp, who sustained a severe head impact resulting in cerebral hemorrhage.
Both were immediately rushed to Benjalak Hospital in Sisaket province for emergency treatment, in coordination with local administrative and health authorities.
The other two victims, Mr. Komsan Sri-uan (shrapnel wounds to the back of the neck) and Mr. Seri Patthainthi (head swelling from shrapnel), were transferred to Sirindhorn Hospital for care.
In a statement released by the Army’s Public Relations Center, military spokespersons described the attack as “clear evidence of deliberate targeting of civilian areas unrelated to any military operations.” They accused Cambodian troops of gravely violating human rights and international humanitarian law, directly endangering the lives and property of innocent civilians.
“This act cannot be justified and will be presented to the international community as proof of aggression,” the statement read, vowing to compile comprehensive evidence for global scrutiny.
The rocket barrage comes amid escalating border clashes that have persisted despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday of a renewed ceasefire agreement following talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Thai officials, including Defense Minister Gen. Natthapol Nakpanich, have maintained that no ceasefire order has been issued to forces on the ground until Cambodia verifiably halts all hostile actions, as we reported here.
Fighting along the disputed 817-kilometer border has involved heavy artillery, rocket systems, airstrikes, and ground engagements since early December, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing casualties on both sides. Thailand insists its responses are strictly proportionate acts of self-defense, while continuing to evacuate civilians and document alleged attacks on non-combatants.
Photo credit Royal Thai Army.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
