(Bangkok, 3rd) The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has announced that after five days of armed conflict with Cambodian troops, it has successfully regained control of the disputed "Chong Arn Ma" border area, located at Nam Yuen District in Ubon Ratchathani Province, near the Ta Oum Monument.
The conflict broke out on July 28. Prior to this, the Thai military had been unable to access the monument area, which was occupied by Cambodian troops. The Thai side claimed the Cambodian actions violated Thailand’s sovereignty.
Royal Thai Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree stated on Saturday that the standoff reached a turning point due to the armed clashes. Previously, Cambodian troops were stationed near the Ta Oum Monument and refused Thai entry into the disputed zone.
"After the outbreak of conflict and the subsequent ceasefire agreement, Thai troops have re-entered the area and are maintaining their presence under the terms agreed by both sides," Winthai noted.
According to him, on July 30, after Cambodian troops showed the disputed area to 13 international diplomats, Thai and Cambodian sides reached joint guidelines to defuse tensions and avoid renewed clashes.
Under the agreement, both sides will each deploy five unarmed personnel to the disputed area. All officers on patrol must remain unarmed. In addition, both sides will conduct 15-minute joint patrols at the Ta Oum Monument and surrounding areas at a time. The patrol area will be open around the clock, with no restrictions.
Winthai added, "Units are only deployed within clearly defined areas of Thai sovereignty, to maintain tactical advantage and prevent escalation." He also personally spent a night at the frontline barracks with soldiers to show support.
Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Army Region, visited the border outpost on Saturday to deliver supplies and boost morale for frontline troops.
"You are doing the right thing," he said. "The entire command structure supports you. Stay alert—anything can happen at any time."
Meanwhile, in Nam Khun District, the Thai military’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team successfully destroyed a BM-21 rocket, launched from Cambodia but unexploded. This is the sixth such rocket.
The military cordoned off a 200-meter area around the rocket, covered it with truck tires, and safely detonated it using C-4 explosives, creating a four-meter-wide crater. Previously, five similar rockets were disposed of in the adjoining Nam Yuen district.
On the same day, 16 Cambodian nationals—including six men, six women, and four children—were arrested for illegal border crossing at a natural pass near Ban Dong Nu Border Village in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province.
Security officials said the group had lived and worked in Thailand before returning to Cambodia on July 24. However, unable to find work in Cambodia and with children facing upcoming Thai school exams, they paid a broker 6,000 baht each to try to re-enter Thailand.
In light of frequent sightings of unidentified drones and reports of Cambodian troops throwing rocks as provocations, the Royal Thai Army has tested and deployed a new laser system, demonstrated at the 2nd Army Region Air Force Base weapons testing ground.
"This is not an experiment but a warning. Every inch of Thailand’s land and airspace will be defended with advanced technology and unwavering resolve," the Thai Army said in a statement on social media.
Symbolically supporting frontline soldiers, Udon Thani residents donated carloads of slingshots and glass beads as non-lethal tools to respond to provocations.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand also recently issued a nationwide drone flying ban, effective until August 15. Violators may face charges of espionage, with penalties up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The conflict broke out on July 28. Prior to this, the Thai military had been unable to access the monument area, which was occupied by Cambodian troops. The Thai side claimed the Cambodian actions violated Thailand’s sovereignty.
Royal Thai Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree stated on Saturday that the standoff reached a turning point due to the armed clashes. Previously, Cambodian troops were stationed near the Ta Oum Monument and refused Thai entry into the disputed zone.
"After the outbreak of conflict and the subsequent ceasefire agreement, Thai troops have re-entered the area and are maintaining their presence under the terms agreed by both sides," Winthai noted.
According to him, on July 30, after Cambodian troops showed the disputed area to 13 international diplomats, Thai and Cambodian sides reached joint guidelines to defuse tensions and avoid renewed clashes.
Under the agreement, both sides will each deploy five unarmed personnel to the disputed area. All officers on patrol must remain unarmed. In addition, both sides will conduct 15-minute joint patrols at the Ta Oum Monument and surrounding areas at a time. The patrol area will be open around the clock, with no restrictions.
Winthai added, "Units are only deployed within clearly defined areas of Thai sovereignty, to maintain tactical advantage and prevent escalation." He also personally spent a night at the frontline barracks with soldiers to show support.
Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Army Region, visited the border outpost on Saturday to deliver supplies and boost morale for frontline troops.
"You are doing the right thing," he said. "The entire command structure supports you. Stay alert—anything can happen at any time."
Meanwhile, in Nam Khun District, the Thai military’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team successfully destroyed a BM-21 rocket, launched from Cambodia but unexploded. This is the sixth such rocket.
The military cordoned off a 200-meter area around the rocket, covered it with truck tires, and safely detonated it using C-4 explosives, creating a four-meter-wide crater. Previously, five similar rockets were disposed of in the adjoining Nam Yuen district.
On the same day, 16 Cambodian nationals—including six men, six women, and four children—were arrested for illegal border crossing at a natural pass near Ban Dong Nu Border Village in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province.
Security officials said the group had lived and worked in Thailand before returning to Cambodia on July 24. However, unable to find work in Cambodia and with children facing upcoming Thai school exams, they paid a broker 6,000 baht each to try to re-enter Thailand.
In light of frequent sightings of unidentified drones and reports of Cambodian troops throwing rocks as provocations, the Royal Thai Army has tested and deployed a new laser system, demonstrated at the 2nd Army Region Air Force Base weapons testing ground.
"This is not an experiment but a warning. Every inch of Thailand’s land and airspace will be defended with advanced technology and unwavering resolve," the Thai Army said in a statement on social media.
Symbolically supporting frontline soldiers, Udon Thani residents donated carloads of slingshots and glass beads as non-lethal tools to respond to provocations.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand also recently issued a nationwide drone flying ban, effective until August 15. Violators may face charges of espionage, with penalties up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.