UBON RATCHATHANI — Cambodian soldiers attempted to block an ASEAN observer team from accessing the contentious Chong An Ma pass on Thursday, in what Thai military officials described as a damaging display of diplomatic discourtesy that violated bilateral ceasefire agreements.

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The incident occurred during a scheduled visit by the Interim Observer Team (IOT) — comprising 14 representatives from eight ASEAN nations — to assess compliance with the July 28 Thai-Cambodian ceasefire. According to Second Army Region commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, Cambodian troops initially prevented the delegation from entering the area, claiming they had not been notified of the visit in advance. After intervention by Thai escorts, the team was granted access.

“This symbolic act reflects Cambodia’s frustration over Thailand’s successful reclamation of the area,” said Lt Gen Boonsin, adding that Cambodian construction near the border also breached signed agreements.

During their inspection, IOT members — led by Malaysian defense attaché Maj Gen Shamsul bin Musa — observed the destroyed Ta Om Monument, a site central to recent clashes. Cambodian soldiers alleged Thai rocket fire caused the damage, a claim Thai officials vehemently denied, attributing the destruction to misfired Cambodian artillery.

Cambodian Soldiers Confront Thai Troops While Escorting ASEAN IOT

A brief verbal confrontation occurred after Cambodian soldiers approached Thai troops while escorting the ASEAN IOT to the An Ma Passage, Ubon Ratchathani Province.#Thailand #Cambodia #Thairathonline pic.twitter.com/JN8pfdUzUe

— Thairath_News (@Thairath_News) August 19, 2025

The delegation also learned that the Cambodian side of Chong An Ma, once a UNHCR refugee center, now operates as a casino — a point raised by Thai officials as evidence of Cambodia’s unilateral development in the sensitive border zone.

The IOT’s fact-finding mission continues amid heightened tensions, with Thailand urging ASEAN to hold Cambodia accountable for ceasefire violations and encroachment. The incident marks another setback in diplomatic efforts to stabilize the volatile border region.

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The IOT includes representatives from Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.

-Thailand News (TN)