Thai military using M46 cluster munitions to shell Cambodia as attacks continue this afternoon

A Thai cluster munition sub-projectile, fired via a 155mm artillery shell on December 23. Heng Ratana

#National

The Thai military has continued to shell Cambodia with cluster munitions, with the latest attacks occurring on December 23 and yesterday, according to Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).

“On December 22-23, 2025, Thai soldiers continued to fire M46 cluster bombs via 155mm artillery shells into the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia,” he said, via social media.

“This is a serious violation of the international Oslo Convention banning the use of cluster bombs, in addition to targeting residential areas, which further violates several international laws,” he added.

Ratana posted the message alongside an image of a bomblet fired from a 155mm artillery shell and several bomb craters, but did not specify the province where the incidents occurred.

In recent weeks, the Ministry of National Defence has revealed that many cluster bombs were fired in the area near Preah Vihear Temple. The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) reported the issue of cluster bombs to Laos, which is currently the chair of the convention against the use of cluster bombs.

As of the afternoon of December 23, the Thai military has continued to shell Cambodian territory. At 13.37, four shells were fired into densely populated areas in Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town, according to the defence ministry.

-The Phnom Penh Post-