Cambodia apologises for soldier’s disruption, saying he was drunk

Cambodia has apologised to the Interim Observer Team (IOT) for an incident yesterday when a Cambodian soldier briefly interrupted the team’s visit in Ubon Ratchathani, claiming that the individual was drunk.

The message was conveyed to IOT members when they visited a hospital in Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak district, which was badly damaged by Cambodian rocket fire.

The IOT, comprising representatives from Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, was on a three-day inspection visit, under Thai-Cambodian ceasefire agreement, to sites in Thailand affected by the five days of fighting with Cambodia late last month.

The IOT’s visit to the Chong An Ma area, where the fighting took place, was briefly halted when a Cambodian soldier tried to block them, claiming that they had not informed Cambodia in advance.

The soldier calmed down after the Thai troops accompanying the IOT explained the situation to him. Images of the confrontation went viral and the Thai side harshly criticised Cambodia for being provocative.

The Thai side used the IOT visit as an opportunity to inform them that Cambodia had been indiscriminate during the attacks and targeted civilians and their communities, which included the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, a convenience store and a school.

The attacks clearly violated the Geneva Convention, army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suwari, who accompanied the delegation, said, adding that Cambodia has breached the ceasefire by mobilising troops and flying drones across the border, according to the Thai Army.

Brigadier Gen Samsul Rizal bin Musa, Malaysia’s Defence Attaché to Thailand and leader of the IOT, said that the team will compile a detailed report, which will highlight the use of landmines, the use of drones and provocations through the dissemination of false information.

Referring to the incident in Ubon Ratchathani, which he said he personally witnessed, noting that provocations are not limited to social media, there were direct military provocations as well.

He added, “I don’t mean to flatter, but Cambodian soldiers have shown a lack of professionalism, while Thai soldiers are disciplined, gentlemanly and highly professional. What we saw today was clear, without anyone needing to shout or force us to see it.”

The IOT emphasised that their role is not to determine who is right or wrong, but to observe whether the ceasefire is being upheld and to reassure border communities.