Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets Fired as Thai–Cambodian Border Clashes Escalate

Thailand–Cambodia Border Tensions Flare: 23 Injured in Fresh Clashes.

At least 23 Cambodians were injured on Wednesday in fresh clashes along the disputed Thailand–Cambodia border, officials from both sides confirmed. Cambodia’s Information Minister Neth Pheaktra accused Thai forces of using tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades against civilians. He said the injured included a soldier and a Buddhist monk.

The Thai military defended its response, stating troops were laying barbed wire in Sa Kaeo province when about 200 Cambodians crossed into the area and began protesting. “We had to use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd after they threw rocks and other objects,” it said, calling the incident a provocation and a violation of the ceasefire.

Pheaktra countered that the confrontation occurred on Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province. A video circulating on social media showed a protester picking up a tear gas grenade and hurling it back at Thai forces. The clashes are being viewed as the most serious escalation since the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in July following a deadly five-day conflict.