'We are not involved in this': Laos denies reports on border clash with Cambodian forces
VIENTIANE (Xinhua): A source from the Lao People's Army told Xinhua on Saturday that reports of an exchange of fire between Lao forces and Cambodian armed personnel were untrue.
The Lao People's Army News, the official publication of the Lao military, confirmed that no official reports had been received regarding the incident.
Earlier in the day, some media outlets reported that the Lao military had issued an emergency notice claiming a fierce exchange of fire between Lao forces and Cambodian armed personnel who had allegedly crossed the border illegally.
According to these reports, 10 individuals were arrested and weapons were seized, with a screenshot of the purported statement attached.
However, upon verification, the screenshot was found to be from a statement issued on Friday by the Military Special Operations Force of Champasak province of Laos.
The statement detailed that during clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces from July 24 to July 25, 10 artillery shells had landed on Laotian territory. The statement also noted that it was unclear which side had fired the shells.
"The Laotian authority has not accused or launched an investigation into this case yet, but the Thai side has accused Cambodia," Cambodian defense ministry's undersecretary of state and spokesperson Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said in a press briefing.
The Cambodian army "has launched counterattacks by focusing only on Thai military bases," she added.
Socheata also refuted Thai media reports that Cambodia has threatened to use long-distance PHL03 missiles to strike Thailand.
Thailand's Second Army Region on Saturday said in a social media post that the shells that landed on Laos during Thai-Cambodian border clashes, as reported by some media outlets, came from the Cambodian forces.
The Thai side expressed its deep regret for the damage to the houses and properties of Lao people, yet after verification and coordination with the Lao side, it was confirmed that the shells did not come from the Thai army but were fired by Cambodian forces, the Thai army said.
Thailand's Channel 7 earlier reported that it was said during the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday morning, 10 artillery shells landed in Laos, damaging civilian houses.
Relevant parties are investigating and verifying the source of the cross-border shells. - Xinhua
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
25 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Dikir barat singer plans to immortalise Thai prison experience through song
KOTA BARU: Malaysian singer Eda Ezrin, who is being held at Narathiwat Prison, wants to compose a song dedicated to the staff and inmates of the prison, once she is released. The 30-year-old dikir barat performer said the song would be based on her experience in the Thai prison. "Since my detention here, I have received kind and respectful treatment from the prison authorities as well as from the other inmates. "The Thai authorities, including ministers and members of parliament, have also made regular visits to check on me and other Malaysian detainees. "I am touched by their compassion and care. Every moment I've spent here will be immortalised in a song, which I plan to dedicate to all of them. "InsyaAllah, if I am released, I will work with a composer to create that song," she said during a brief interview with Malaysian media on Friday. The mother of two said she had learnt to speak Thai during her nine-month incarceration and placed her fate, along with that of her husband and four friends, in God's hands. "If it is destined that we remain here for one year or even 18 months, we accept it as a test by God," she said. Eda Ezrin said both of her young children understood the situation she and her husband were in and continued to give her emotional strength from afar. "Even though they are still young, my children told me they understood what is happening to me and their father. "During their visit last week, they told me not to be sad or worried about them. They said they are being well taken care of by their grandparents, and that gives me peace of mind," she added. Eda Ezrin, whose full name is Wan Norshaheeda Azlin Wan Ismail; her husband Mohd Affendi Ahmad, 35; and their friends; Eridieka Mohd Noor, 33; Mohamad Alif Deraman, 33; Nur Aida Mamat, 33; and Zuhaira Nasrin, 26; have been imprisoned in Thailand for nearly nine months. They were arrested for allegedly possessing 6,059 methamphetamine pills in Sungai Golok town on Nov 1, last year. In March, the Narathiwat Court acquitted them of jointly possessing the pills with intent to distribute, but allowed prosecutors to appeal the decision.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Thailand's political index drops to 3.86 amid border tensions, floods
A soldier consoles Kimdaeng Krajangthong (L) and Tin Krajangthong (2nd L), the parents of Royal Thai Army soldier Theerayuth Krajangthong, 22, who died in clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in Sisaket province, during funeral rites at a Buddhist temple in the Thai border province of Buriram on July 30, 2025. he recent survey found that one of the top government achievements was providing support to people along the Thai-Cambodian border. - AFP BANGKOK: Thailand's political index dropped to 3.86 in July, reflecting growing public concerns over a range of issues, including tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border and flooding in the North, Suan Dusit Poll reported on Sunday (Aug 3). The poll, conducted by Suan Dusit University, revealed that the index — based on 25 indicators — had declined from 4.13 in June, with almost all indicators showing a decrease. The survey was conducted among 2,171 respondents between 26 and 31 July. The results showed that only one indicator — the government's disclosure of public information — had improved, rising from 4.11 in June to 4.20 in July. Two indicators remained unchanged from the previous month: Overall performance of political parties: 4.20 Overall social situation: 4.08 The top five indicators were: Opposition performance: 4.36 (down from 5.15 in June) People's rights and liberties: 4.34 (4.58 in June) Public education development: 4.33 (4.45 in June) People's inclusion: 4.31 (4.38 in June) Overall performance of political parties: 4.20 (unchanged) Asst Prof Kanyakarn Sathiensukhon of Suan Dusit Poll said several incidents in June had affected public sentiment, including reports of sex scandals involving senior Buddhist monks, the Thai-US trade negotiations, an audio clip of a conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen, Thai-Cambodian border clashes, and flooding in the North. She noted that the indicator measuring the prime minister's performance fell from 3.97 in June to 3.43 in July — the lowest score so far this year — reflecting growing dissatisfaction with both the government's performance and its communication with the public. The survey found the top three government achievements were: 42.21%: Sending explanations to the United States regarding border conflicts 40.51%: Providing support to people along the Thai-Cambodian border 17.28%: Implementing the 20-baht flat fare policy for electric railways The top three performing government politicians were: 44.05%: Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security 29.85%: Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior 26.10%: Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister - The Nation/ANN
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Thailand, Cambodia chose Malaysia because of political stability, developing economy
KOTA KINABALU: Thailand and Cambodia chose Malaysia as the location for peace talks because the country has stable politics and a developing economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The prime minister said that as a friendly country, Malaysia was proud to be able to help resolve the conflict between the two Asian countries, thus ensuring that the region remains peaceful and stable. Anwar said Cambodian Defence Minister General Tea Seiha and Thai Acting Defence Minister General Natthaphon Narkphanit were expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow to hold detailed discussions in an effort to find a solution to the conflict between the two neighbouring countries. "We are proud as a friendly country and of Malaysia's success in resolving the discord between two Asian countries. Imagine, they agreed in Kuala Lumpur. For the first time, we have been able to reconcile the war between two countries in Kuala Lumpur. Alhamdulillah," he said. He said this when officiating the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day here, today. Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and his deputy Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. On July 28, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following a special meeting in Putrajaya chaired by Anwar as the current Asean Chairman. In the meeting, Thailand, represented by Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, while Cambodia by its Prime Minister Hun Manet, also reached an agreement to hold a General Border Committee meeting as part of the ceasefire agreement. Anwar said this success had made Malaysia known on the world stage to the point of attracting the attention of global leaders including US President Donald J. Trump who contacted him to express his appreciation for Kuala Lumpur's efforts to resolve the conflict. In addition, the Prime Minister said Malaysia had also received attention and appreciation from leaders of other countries including Germany, France and other Asian countries.
