Army Confirms Cluster Artillery Shells Used in Proportional Response Based on Military Necessity - Not Anti-Personnel Landmines, No Long-Term Civilian Impact - Thailand Not Bound by Cluster Munitions

On July 25, 2568, Major General Winthai Suwaree, Army spokesman, clarified Cambodia's claims about Thailand's use of cluster artillery shells.

The Army stated that the use of such ammunition is considered based on military necessity against military targets to enhance target destruction capability. When the main shell impacts the target, sub-munitions contained within explode continuously. These shells are not anti-personnel landmines and have no long-term residual effects on civilians after use.

Regarding the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which prohibits parties from using, producing, or stockpiling such weapons, it is not binding on Thailand since Thailand is not a party to this convention, similar to many other countries such as the United States and Russia.

The Army confirms that Thai military operations follow the principle of "proportionality," with cluster munitions used only to enhance explosive destruction capability against military targets specifically.

Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters Summarizes Thai-Cambodia Clashes Today: Continued Retaliatory Attacks Along Border, 4 Additional Civilian Injuries, 1 Additional Military Injury, and 3 Deaths

Colonel Chatrapee Punsri, Deputy Spokesperson of Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, reported that according to the Thai-Cambodia Border Situation Management Special Operations Center (ศบ.ทก.), continuous clashes occurred today (July 25, 2568) at multiple key points along the border, with Cambodia initiating attacks using various heavy weapons, causing extreme tension in the area. Key area summary:

• 08:30 AM at Chong Bok: Artillery exchange between Thai guns and Cambodian BM21

• Chong An Ma: Cambodia attacked and destroyed the horseman monument and surrounding buildings

• Cha Tae area: Thai forces counterattacked with infantry and tanks to retake territory

• Chong Ta Thao: Cambodia used 15 tanks as firing bases for attacks

• Khao Phra Wihan: Thai forces maintaining strong defensive positions

• Phu Ma Khuea: Continuous attacks and return fire

• Chong Jom: Alternating combat

• Prasat Ta Kwai: Cambodia reinforced with large numbers of personnel

• Prasat Ta Muan Thom: Thai forces deployed dense defenses while Cambodia attempted multiple attack waves

Additionally, Cambodia has clearly committed War Crimes including: deliberately attacking civilians and non-military structures, destroying public facilities such as schools and monuments, using heavy weapons indiscriminately, and establishing firing positions in community areas while using civilians as human shields. These actions constitute serious violations of the laws and customs of war. Thailand calls on the international community to recognize the actions of Hun Sen, Cambodia's leader, who must be held responsible as a war criminal for ordering and supporting this unjust invasion.

Thai-Cambodia Border Clash Casualty Summary

Daily Changes (July 25, 2568 only)

Category	Civilians	Military
Deaths	-	+3
Seriously injured	+3	+1
Moderate injuries	-3 (discharged home)	-
Minor injuries	+1	-

Cumulative Total Since Incident Began

Category	Civilians	Military	Total
Deaths	13	4	17
Seriously injured	10	7	17
Moderate injuries	10	5	15
Minor injuries	13	3	16
TOTAL	46	19	65