The Thai army reported an incident on Tuesday morning in which Cambodian forces allegedly fired a grenade at Thai patrols in Sisaket Province, prompting return fire from Thai soldiers. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported among the Thai troops. This incident is part of a long-standing dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, which has occasionally escalated into military confrontations over the years.

In response to Thailand’s claims, Cambodia has firmly denied the accusations, with the Information Minister, Neth Pheaktra, stating that the allegations are completely false and fabricated. He emphasized that such claims distort the facts intentionally to mislead public opinion and provoke tensions at the Thai-Cambodian border. This exchange highlights the fragile nature of relations between the two nations, and the ease with which misunderstandings can escalate military tensions.

The historical context is critical, as both countries have had a tumultuous relationship marked by territorial disputes, culminating in armed conflicts. More recently, in December, both nations agreed to a fragile ceasefire after three weeks of clashes that left dozens dead and caused approximately one million people to flee their homes. The current incident raises concerns about the stability of the ceasefire and the potential for future confrontations if dialogue fails to resolve ongoing tensions.