AKP Phnom Penh, October 12, 2026 --

The Spokesperson of the Royal Government of Cambodia has strongly rejected the false claims reported by Thai media concerning remarks allegedly made by Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy about the initial shooting in the Cambodia-Thailand border clashes.

According to a statement released on Monday evening by the Government Spokesperson H.E. Pen Bona, Thai media outlet Top News published an interview on Oct. 10 with Nantiwat Samart, a former deputy chief of Thailand’s National Intelligence Agency and former secretary to Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the interview, Nantiwat reportedly claimed that Sam Rainsy had said Cambodian forces fired first, prompting Thailand to retaliate.

The statement noted that the report had subsequently been widely circulated and commented on across social media platforms.

The Government Spokesperson categorically rejected the reported claim and reiterated that Thai forces fired first. The statement said this position had already been clearly articulated by the Cambodian Prime Minister, the Ministry of National Defence, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The spokesperson called on Sam Rainsy to clarify the matter, setting out three points.

First, if Sam Rainsy had not made the remarks attributed to him, he should issue an official denial of the report.

Second, if he had indeed made the remarks, he should publicly apologise to the Cambodian people, as the spokesperson characterised such statements as a serious act of betrayal of the nation.

Third, the spokesperson stated that if Sam Rainsy did not officially deny the Thai media report, it would mean that he had made the remarks as reported.

The Government Spokesperson expressed hope that Sam Rainsy would come forward and clarify the matter.

By C. Nika