BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Army has issued a sharp condemnation of Cambodian military forces, accusing them of violating international norms by allegedly firing artillery shells into Lao territory and deliberately targeting ancient historical sites, The Nation reported. The allegations mark a significant escalation in rhetoric as border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia enter their third day.

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Thai military spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree confirmed Friday that artillery rounds had landed in neighboring Laos, stressing that forensic analysis proved the munitions were not of Thai origin. “Our forces maintain strict discipline and precision in weapon deployment,” he stated, suggesting Cambodia’s actions were either deliberately reckless or intended to falsely implicate Thailand.

“If these strikes weren’t intentional, the trajectories couldn’t have been so grossly miscalculated,” Winthai asserted, recalling similar alleged attempts to manipulate international opinion during past border disputes. The incident risks drawing Laos into the conflict and has raised alarms in Vientiane, though Lao officials have yet to comment publicly.

The Thai Army further accused Cambodian forces of systematically aiming long-range weapons at civilian infrastructure and ancient sites—a charge Phnom Penh has denied. “This goes beyond military engagement; it’s cultural vandalism disguised as warfare,” Winthai said, noting that such tactics violate the 1954 Hague Convention protecting cultural property during conflicts.

At least a dozen artillery shells landed in Laos during clashes between Thailand and Cambodia

The shells hit military posts and civilian homes in Champasak province, reports the Lao People's Army. pic.twitter.com/JhOeFpdpRE

— GeoWar Scope (@GeoWarScope1) July 26, 2025

Satellite imagery reviewed by Thai intelligence reportedly shows impact craters near 11th-century Khmer temple complexes along the border, though independent verification remains pending. UNESCO has not yet issued a statement on the alleged damage.

The accusations come as Thailand seeks to frame itself as the conflict’s responsible party, contrasting its “measured responses” with what it calls Cambodia’s “unsporting conduct.” Winthai condemned the tactics as “unbecoming of professional soldiers,” warning they would “irreparably harm Cambodia’s global reputation.”

Cambodian officials have dismissed the claims as propaganda. “Thailand seeks to deflect from its own aggression, including airstrikes on our villages,” countered Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Gen. Meas Pheakdey in a separate briefing.

With ASEAN chair Malaysia offering mediation and evacuation numbers surpassing 150,000 across both countries, analysts warn the conflict risks spilling beyond the bilateral arena. “The Lao shelling allegation—whether accidental or not—adds a dangerous third-party dimension,” said Chulalongkorn University security expert Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn.

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As night fell Friday, artillery exchanges continued near Preah Vihear Temple—a UNESCO World Heritage site and flashpoint in previous clashes—with no ceasefire in sight.

-Thailand News (TN)