Cambodia Rejects Thai Claim of Self-Defense in May 28 Armed Clash, Calling It a Distortion of Facts

Cambodia Rejects Thai Claim of Self-Defense in May 28 Armed Clash, Calling It a Distortion of Facts

Phnom Penh, August 1, 2025 – Speaking at a press conference held on Friday afternoon at the Office of the Council of Ministers, His Excellency Chum Sounry, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, firmly rejects the Thai side’s claim that it acted in self-defense during the armed clash at “Mum 3” on May 28, 2025, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. He described the claim as a distortion of the truth.

H.E. Chum Sounry stressed, “Cambodia reiterates that the armed clash on 28 May 2025 was triggered by Thai troops opening fire on CB army position on Cambodian territory, not by Cambodian aggression.”

He further emphasized, “Thailand’s claim of “self-defense” is only to mask its provocative military actions.”

This clarification from the Cambodian side comes in response to remarks made by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a press briefing on July 31, 2025, in which the Thai ministry asserted that Thailand exercised its right to self-defense during the incident on May 28, 2025, which led to the death of a Cambodian soldier.