Synopsis: The Cambodian government has demanded that former opposition leader Sam Rainsy clarify or publicly deny a statement attributed to him by Thai media alleging that Cambodian forces fired first during the border clashes with Thailand.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has strongly rejected claims circulated by Thai media suggesting that Cambodian forces initiated the armed clashes with Thailand, while calling on former opposition leader Sam Rainsy to publicly clarify remarks attributed to him in a recent interview with a former senior Thai official.
In a statement issued by the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit, the government referred to an interview published by Thai media outlet Top News on October 10, 2026, featuring Nantiwat Samart, former deputy director of Thailand’s National Intelligence Agency and former secretary to the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs.
During the interview, Nantiwat reportedly claimed that Rainsy had stated two or three days earlier that Cambodian forces had opened fire on Thailand first, prompting Thai forces to retaliate.
According to the government statement, the claim subsequently circulated widely on social media, attracting considerable commentary.
The Royal Government Spokesperson Unit categorically rejected the allegation, reiterating Cambodia’s position that Thai forces were responsible for firing the first shots.
“The Royal Government Spokesperson categorically rejects this false claim and reiterates once again that it was the Thai side that opened fire first,” the statement said.
It added that Prime Minister Hun Manet, the Ministry of National Defence, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation had already made Cambodia’s position clear on the matter.
The government subsequently issued three demands for Rainsy to clarify whether the remarks attributed to him by the Thai media outlet were genuine.
First, if Rainsy did not make the alleged statement, the government demanded that he publicly and formally deny the report.
Second, if he did make the remarks, the government insisted that he issue a public apology to the Cambodian people, describing such a statement as an act of serious betrayal of the nation.
Third, the spokesperson warned that failure to formally deny the Thai media report would be interpreted by the government as confirmation that Rainsy had indeed made the remarks attributed to him.
“The Royal Government Spokesperson hopes that Sam Rainsy will have the courage to come forward and clarify this matter,” the statement reads.
The government’s response comes amid continued sensitivity surrounding the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, with Phnom Penh maintaining that its military actions were defensive and that Thai forces initiated the hostilities.
