Government Spokesperson categorically rejects Sam Rainsy's false claim that "Cambodian forces shot at Thailand first, leading Thailand to retaliate"

His Excellency Pen Bona, Head of the Government Spokesperson Unit of the Royal Government of Cambodia, stated that on October 10, 2026, a Thai media outlet named Top News published an interview with Nantiwat Samart, former Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Agency and former Secretary to the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs, in which he claimed: “2-3 days ago, Sam Rainsy, the Cambodian opposition leader, came out and stated that Cambodian forces were the side that shot at Thailand first, which led Thailand to retaliate.” This information has also been picked up and widely shared and commented on by social media users. The Government Spokesperson categorically rejects this false claim and reiterates that it was the Thai side that fired first. This issue has already been clearly confirmed by Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister, as well as by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia. Therefore, the Government Spokesperson demands that Sam Rainsy come forward to clarify the truth: First, if Sam Rainsy did not say so, Sam Rainsy must come forward to officially deny this news report. Second, if it is true that he said it, Sam Rainsy must come forward and publicly apologize to the Cambodian people, because such remarks constitute a serious act of treason against the nation. Third, if Sam Rainsy does not come forward to officially deny what the Thai media outlet has reported, it means that Sam Rainsy did indeed say so. The Government Spokesperson hopes that Sam Rainsy will have the courage to come forward and clarify this matter.