Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Firing Mortars, Violating Ceasefire

JAKARTA - The Thai military said Cambodian troops fired mortars on the border region on Tuesday (6/1) which resulted in a Thai soldier being injured.

The incident occurred in Bukit 469, Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani Province, in the midst of a ceasefire that has been in place since December 27.

The Command of the Second Army (AD) of Thailand stated that the soldier was injured after being hit by mortar fragments.

"After further investigation, it was confirmed that the mortar ammunition was fired from Cambodia, which resulted in one Thai soldier being slightly injured by shrapnel," said Thai Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree, quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik, Tuesday, January 6.

The Thai military accused Cambodia of violating a ceasefire agreement signed after the two countries engaged in a 20-day border conflict.

It is said that Cambodia has contacted Thailand to explain that the shooting was a mistake.

"The local unit was contacted by the Cambodians, who stated that the incident was not intentional, but an error that occurred in the operation of their personnel," said Winthai.

The Thai military warned Cambodia to be more careful and stressed that Thailand would take "defensive countermeasures" if a similar incident occurred again.

Decades of border disputes escalated into an armed conflict in July, when the two countries exchanged artillery fire and launched air raids.

Both sides have reported casualties, including among civilians. In August, they announced an immediate ceasefire followed by an agreement to end the conflict in December.