Cambodian Defence Ministry Rejects Thai Media Allegations of M79 Attack as Baseless
AKP Phnom Penh, May 14, 2026 --
The Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia has strongly rejected allegations published by several Thai media outlets accusing Cambodian forces of firing M79 grenades at a Thai military position opposite the Veal Entrey area in Preah Vihear province.
In a press statement issued on May 14, H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defence, categorically denied the accusations, describing them as entirely baseless and unsupported by any evidence.
The Ministry stated that the reports constituted false and misleading information intended to create confusion among the public and escalate tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
“The Ministry of National Defence cannot accept the dissemination of false information that affects the honour of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and poses risks to security, stability, and safety along the border,” the statement said, while calling on the Thai media concerned to immediately correct the reports.
According to the Ministry, the Information Battlefield Command Team of Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence has submitted an official protest letter regarding the false reporting to Thailand’s Joint Information Centre (JIC Thai).
The statement also noted that during the first mission of the ASEAN Observer Team (HOM AOT), led under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship to monitor and assess the border situation at Preah Vihear Temple, the Thai side detonated three unexploded ordnance devices without prior notification to the Cambodian side.
In response, the Regional Border Committee (RBC) liaison team of Cambodia’s Military Region 4 contacted the Thai side and lodged a protest over the unannounced explosions, the Ministry added.
The spokesperson urged the Thai side to stop disseminating defamatory information and to fully and sincerely implement all previously agreed commitments in order to restore normalcy, peace, stability, and long-term security along the border areas.



By C. Nika





