Army Chief Dismisses Cambodian Gunfire Claims, Updates Dam Project

MGR Online•Politics•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Army Chief of Staff General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat rejects Cambodian explanations for gunfire near a Thai base and updates on the Huai Ta Maria reservoir project.

•General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat stated on July 17, 2026, that Thai forces responded to three shots fired from Cambodia near a Thai base.
•The Royal Thai Army rejects Cambodian claims that the shooting was caused by undisciplined personnel or alcohol consumption.
•The Royal Thai Army has reported the Huai Ta Maria reservoir project in Si Sa Ket province to the Prime Minister for consideration.

Overview

•On July 17, 2026, General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat provided an interview at the Parliament.
•The Royal Thai Army fired back in response to three shots fired from the Cambodian side near a Thai military base.
•General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat expressed disbelief in Cambodian claims that the incident was due to lack of discipline or alcohol use among personnel.
•General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat warned that if further incursions or agreement violations occur, Thailand will act according to the Joint Declaration.
•General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat noted that 19 explosions were heard since April 2026, as reported by the Regional Border Committee (RBC).
•General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat has reported the construction of the Huai Ta Maria reservoir in Si Sa Ket province to the Prime Minister.
•The Royal Thai Army is ready to proceed with the Huai Ta Maria reservoir construction regardless of whether funding comes from the Royal Irrigation Department, the central budget, or the Army.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on MGR Online (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: MGR Online (Original)

View Original Article

Key Entities

Person

General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat(พล.อ.ชัยพฤกษ์ ด้วงประพัฒน์)

Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army.

Prime Minister(นายกรัฐมนตรี)ℹ️

The head of government who was informed about the Huai Ta Maria reservoir project.

Organization

Royal Thai Army(กองทัพบก)ℹ️

The military organization overseeing Thai border security and responding to gunfire incidents.

Secretariat of the Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee(กองเลขานุการคณะกรรมการชายแดนส่วนภูมิภาคไทย-กัมพูชา)

The body coordinating border matters between the Thai Second Army Area and Cambodia's Military Region 4.

Second Army Area(กองทัพภาคที่ 2)

The Thai army regional command coordinating with the Royal Irrigation Department and the RBC.

Military Region 4(ภูมิภาคทหารที่ 4)

The Cambodian military region coordinating with Thailand's Second Army Area.

Royal Irrigation Department(กรมชลประทาน)

The government agency that set the budget and coordinated with the Second Army Area for the reservoir project.

Place

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

The neighboring country from which gunfire was directed toward a Thai military base.

Huai Ta Maria Reservoir(อ่างเก็บน้ำห้วยตามาเรีย)

A reservoir project located in Si Sa Ket province.

Si Sa Ket Province(จ.ศรีสะเกษ)ℹ️

The province where the Huai Ta Maria reservoir is to be constructed.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where General Chaiyaphruk Duangprapat gave his interview.

Policy

Joint Declaration(แถลงการณ์ร่วม)

A bilateral agreement between Thailand and Cambodia to be followed in case of border incidents.