Preah Vihear, Cambodia – May 28, 2025 — A Cambodian soldier, Suon Roan, aged 48 and stationed at the Mom Tei border post in Techo Morakot village, was killed in a gunfire exchange with Thai troops on Wednesday morning in one of the most sensitive and contested zones between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

Another Cambodian soldier was wounded during the brief but deadly clash, which occurred in an undemarcated area near the Chong Bok border — long known as a geopolitical fault line. According to the Ministry of National Defense, Thai troops allegedly launched an initial offensive against a position that Cambodian forces have held for an extended period, describing the assault as unprovoked and deeply regrettable. “This clash is not something Cambodia desires,” the ministry noted in its official statement, calling the death of Suon Roan a tragic outcome of aggression in a disputed region where neither side has full sovereign clarity.

The Cambodian government reaffirmed its commitment to resolving border disputes through peaceful means, stressing the importance of keeping the Cambodian–Thai frontier an area of “peace, stability, and development.” However, the ministry emphasized that Cambodia remains **unshaken in its duty to defend territorial integrity ‘at all costs.’”

Border Dispute Reignited Amid Tense History

The Chong Bok-Mom Bei zone lies within an unmarked border area, part of a broader historic dispute that also includes the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabey temples, . The region has seen numerous flare-ups over the decades, often tied to infrastructure activity or military posturing near contested markers. Under bilateral agreements, both Cambodia and Thailand pledged to “maintain the status quo” in disputed areas and avoid any action that could escalate into open conflict.

Yet, according to military spokesman Mao Phalla, the Cambodian patrol on May 28 was routine and within long-held boundaries. “Our soldiers were conducting standard border surveillance when Thai forces opened fire without provocation,” he said. The brief standoff, lasting roughly ten minutes, ended only after high-level military commanders from both sides intervened by phone.

Thailand, however, tells a different story.

Thai authorities claim that Cambodian troops initiated the gunfire, while Thai forces were merely attempting to negotiate and prevent new construction in the area. The Suranaree Task Force, deployed to the site, reportedly responded in “self-defense” after being fired upon. No Thai casualties were officially reported, though Cambodian sources and independent observers have cast doubt on the Thai narrative. “They call it a miscalculation. We call it a violation,” said a Cambodian security analyst. “The truth lies in the blood spilled on our side.”

Public Outrage and Legal Pressure on Phnom Penh

The incident has inflamed nationalist sentiment in Cambodia, with citizens, analysts, and lawmakers urging Prime Minister Hun Manet to pursue legal redress at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Many are calling for Cambodia to ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and take Thailand to court over the 26,000-square-kilometer overlapping maritime area near Koh Kut, as well as disputed land areas. “Enough is enough,” wrote one prominent political commentator. “We cannot let our soldiers die on Cambodian soil while Bangkok manipulates facts and demands silence.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since issued a diplomatic protest note to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, demanding a full investigation and justice for Suon Roan’s death. In a recent emergency meeting of the Joint Border Commission (JBC), Cambodian representatives also pushed for escalation of territorial disputes concerning Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Takrabei Temple, and the Mom Bei area to the ICJ.

Media Misinformation and Government Response In light of the rising tensions and the spread of speculative content on social media, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense issued a strong public warning. It urged the public and media outlets to refrain from sharing unverified information, cautioning that misinformation could destabilize border security and harm Cambodia–Thailand relations.

“Citizens are urged to rely only on official communications from the Ministry of National Defense,” the statement read. “False narratives risk inflaming an already delicate situation.” At the same time, Thai authorities have also urged local media and citizens to avoid spreading unauthorized images or conflicting reports — a move some critics say is part of a coordinated effort to downplay Thailand’s role in the clash.

Editorial Note from The Mekong Times: This is more than a skirmish. This is a stark reminder of how fragile peace remains when territorial boundaries are disputed, and military accountability is ambiguous. Cambodia has a duty — to its people, its fallen soldiers, and to regional integrity — to pursue justice, not just diplomacy.

For continuing coverage of regional security, diplomacy, and border disputes, stay with The Mekong Times.