Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha has explained that reports of Cambodian artillery pieces being aimed at Thai villages and military positions is nothing to be alarmed at, as no military routinely directs its weapons towards its own territory.

Seiha took to social media this afternoon, June 16, to answer Thai accusations that Cambodia has “directed artillery toward Thai villages and military bases”.

“This is our national defence strategy. When we deploy weapons, it is to protect territorial integrity. Clearly, the target is aimed at potential enemies, as no military doctrine calls for artillery to be directed at its own territory,” he said.

“The peaceful approach involves negotiations between the two governments, covering political, economic and other aspects. The military option is the last resort. We are fully prepared to defend Cambodian territory, but have no ambition to invade neighbouring countries,” he added.

Seiha’s position was likely in response to a report in Thai media outlet The Nation, titled “Thai Army adjusts troop positions after Cambodian artillery aimed at border”.

According to the article, the Thai Army reported that Cambodian troops were deployed near the border of Thailand’s Sisaket province, with artillery pointed at Thailand, prompting a security response.

The story quoted Royal Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree as saying on June 14 that they had seen photos circulating online showing Cambodian troops “targeting Thai territory near the Don Tuan Temples and Satta Sommountain, in Ban Phumsarol and Sao Thong Chai subdistricts, of Sisaket province’s Kantharalak district”.