Phnom Penh Rejects Thai Media Claims as ‘Serious Distortion of the Truth’

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, May 13, 2026 — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence has denied reports by several Thai media outlets alleging that Cambodian forces fired 11 rounds near the O’Smach international border checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said the allegations were false and amounted to “a serious distortion of the truth.”

“The Spokeswoman for the Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia categorically denies these allegations,” the statement said.

The ministry issued the clarification after Thai media reports claimed Cambodian forces had opened fire near the O’Smach International Border Checkpoint on May 13.

Cambodian authorities urged both domestic and international media organisations as well as the public to take note of the official position regarding the incident.

The statement comes amid ongoing tensions between Cambodia and Thailand over border and security-related disputes.

No independent confirmation regarding the alleged shooting incident has been released.