On August 15, the Khmer Times reported that the observers began monitoring after Phnom Penh accused Thai forces of occupying Cambodia's countryside, erecting barbed wire fences, breaking obstacles with tires and demolishing houses.
In Cambodia's Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces, military tensions between the two countries have spread from the northern region to the western border. The Cambodian government has warned of the risk of a recurrence of fighting due to violations of the ceasefire.
To assess the security situation, the Interim Monitoring Group (IOT) including defense representatives of Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia conducted a reconnaissance trip in Banteay Meanchey province.
This mission was jointly organized by the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense, under the leadership of the Malaysian Defense attache to Cambodia, Colonel Nazlee Abdul Rahim, and the participation of both permanent and concurrent deputies.
Cambodia's Foreign Ministry and International Cooperation has issued a statement denying Thailand's allegations of explosions of mines along the border, saying they were "false and inciting" allegations, threatening a fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
The statement was in response to the press release dated August 10 and 12 of the Thai Foreign Ministry, which accused the Cambodian armed forces of planting mines to killed people in the disputed areas and in the Cambodian territory of the provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear, injuring Thai soldiers.
Cambodia has said it firmly denies these allegations, saying it has no credible evidence and is trying to steer public opinion away from Thailand's violation of the ceasefire and international law.
Meanwhile, The Nation reported that Thailand called on Cambodia to respect the ceasefire agreement, stop using mines and stop spreading false information, and emphasize compliance with international law.
Major General Winthai Suwaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, responded on August 14 to Cambodia's request to respect a 13-point ceasefire agreement and release 18 detained Cambodian soldiers. He affirmed that Thailand was committed to implementing the agreement, but asked Cambodia to stop using mines and stop spreading false information.
Regarding the issue of prisoners, he said Thailand handled the case in accordance with international law and humanitarian standards, with the supervision of the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC), and the ICRC confirmed the safety of 18 Cambodian soldiers.
On August 14, Thai Military Region 2 reported the discovery of a total of 94 drones operating in the provinces of Surin, Buriram, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Roi Et; along with 25-30 aircraft flying in the border area, some of which have entered Thai territory.
Cambodian soldiers were also spotted trying to cross a barbed wire fence near the Thai base. According to the response rules, Thai forces blocked and forced Cambodian soldiers to withdraw. No clashes occurred, but the Thai army remained highly vigilant, closely monitoring the situation according to agreements at the recent meeting of the Joint Border Commission (GBC).
