The Royal Thai Army has issued warnings and boosted border defences in Surin following what it said were provocative actions by Cambodian soldiers.
Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree on Friday said the Suranaree Task Force reported that between Wednesday night and early the next day, armed Cambodian soldiers approached the Thai line in an undisciplined manner, including allegedly drinking alcohol.
He said the actions violated the Dec 27 joint statement between the two countries and risked undermining efforts to maintain peace along the border.
Thai troops responded by issuing warnings, reinforcing personnel and installing additional barbed wire. Two M113 armoured personnel carriers were deployed to deter any escalation.
The 2nd Army Area also coordinated with Cambodian counterparts through local command mechanisms, helping to ease tensions and restore normal conditions.
The army reaffirmed its commitment to the joint statement, maintaining a strictly defensive posture within the agreed control zones.
It has also facilitated visits by the Thai Asean observer team to monitor border areas, including recent inspections in Sa Kaeo province on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Cambodian authorities conducted a separate observer visit last Sunday in their controlled areas of Oddar Meanchey province. The army confirmed there was no encroachment into Thai territory and that prior coordination had been made.
Earlier on Thursday, ACM Prapas Sonjaidee, assistant commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and director of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Information Centre, said checks confirmed Cambodian troops had approached the fence line inappropriately, prompting Thai forces to adjust deployments in line with the joint agreement.
He stressed that Thailand's approach remains unchanged: avoiding pro- vocation, preventing escalation and building mutual trust.
Authorities urged the public to rely on official sources to avoid misinformation that could cause unnecessary concern.
The army said it remains ready to respond appropriately while continuing to support peaceful cooperation between the two countries.
Thailand also insisted that Asean observer visits must be coordinated in advance through agreed mechanisms to ensure transparency and mutual understanding.
However, authorities reaffirm support for the observers' role in monitoring the situation and promoting measures to ease tensions in line with the joint statement between the two countries.
