Cambodian troops 'cross' into Thai soil

>>The Second Army Region has accused Cambodian military forces of deliberately crossing into disputed border zones to stage confrontational scenes with Thai troops for propaganda purposes aimed at boosting domestic morale.

- POST REPORTERS

The claim follows a series of tense encounters along the Thai-Cambodian border, including a widely circulated video showing a Cambodian soldier pointing a finger at a Thai soldier during an argument at Ta Muean Thom temple in Surin province on June 27.

Cambodian social media channels have since repeatedly posted similar footage.

In another incident, a Thai military ranger patrol reported detecting Cambodian troops near the "Phu Phi" viewpoint in tambon Sao Thong Chai, in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.

The area lies near Preah Vihear temple and the Don Tuan ruins - longstanding flashpoints in the border dispute between the countries.

Most recently, Cambodian units have entered contested areas where Thai troops are stationed, deliberately seeking confrontation, according to a source from the Second Army Region.

These patrols often include three to four soldiers actively filming the encounters, while four to five others engage Thai soldiers with provocative remarks in an apparent attempt to elicit a reaction, the source said.