Bangkok, January 6th, 2026– A Thai soldier sustained minor injuries on Tuesday morning following an explosion caused by what Thailand says was a mortar round fired from the Cambodian side of the border in Ubon Ratchathani province, according to the Royal Thai Army. Cambodia claims it was a garbage explosion.
The incident occurred around 7:25 a.m. in the Chong Bok area near Hill 469, Nam Yuen district, where Thai forces under the Suranaree Task Force are stationed. The soldier suffered shrapnel wounds, reportedly to the right arm, but the injuries were described as non-life-threatening, with the individual evacuated for immediate medical treatment.
In an initial statement, the Second Army Region accused Cambodian forces of violating a ceasefire agreement reached on December 27th, 2025, which had ended weeks of intense clashes along the disputed border. The truce followed escalated fighting in December that resulted in dozens of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands on both sides.
However, Cambodian military officials promptly contacted their Thai counterparts to clarify the event. They stated there was no intention to fire into Thai territory and attributed the incident to a garbage explosion.
Thai Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree confirmed the communication, noting that the Cambodian side had assured it was unintentional. Thai forces issued a formal warning to prevent future occurrences and are closely monitoring the situation.
The long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has seen multiple flare-ups in 2025, including deadly clashes in July and December. The recent ceasefire included commitments to freeze troop movements, cooperate on demining, and facilitate humanitarian efforts.
No further escalation has been reported as of Tuesday afternoon, and both sides appear committed to de-escalating through direct military channels. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has been briefed on the incident by security officials, but in a press conference stressed Thailand’s right to sovereignty and stated that proper responsibility and accountability must be taken.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
