British Content Creator Claims Thai Soldiers Fired Shots Near O’Smach Border Area

British Content Creator Claims Thai Soldiers Fired Shots Near O’Smach Border Area

British content creator and border commentator Kevin Smith has claimed that Thai soldiers fired gunshots while he was visiting the disputed O’Smach border area, which Cambodia says is being illegally occupied by Thai military forces.

Smith, who is known for regularly traveling to Cambodian border regions to document tensions and territorial disputes, shared the incident on social media on May 13, saying the gunfire appeared to be a warning directed at anyone attempting to observe or film the area.

“I Only Had a Camera,” Smith Says

In an online statement, Smith wrote that he was unarmed and simply attempting to document the situation when the shots were fired.

“Thai soldiers just fired shots at me in O’Smach while I was trying to tell the truth about the situation,” he said. “I had no weapons, no protection, and posed no threat. All I had was a camera.”

Video footage posted by Smith captured the sound of at least two gunshots, although he later claimed that a total of four shots were fired during the incident.

According to Smith, Thai soldiers had warned him not to film in the area before the shooting occurred.

Claims Linked to Previous Border Incident

Smith also referenced an earlier incident on April 29, when Cambodian officials reported that Thai troops fired shots during a visit by international military attachés to the O’Smach International Border Gate area in Oddar Meanchey province.

At the time, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense stated that the gunfire violated the spirit of the existing ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said the shots involved M-16 rifles and M-79 grenade launchers while observers were conducting inspections near the border crossing.

Smith claimed the latest incident supports earlier Cambodian allegations that the sounds heard during the April visit were actual gunfire rather than fireworks, as previously suggested by Thai sources.

Smith Says He Went to Expose “Hypocrisy”

Speaking to local media, Smith explained that he traveled to O’Smach to highlight what he described as contradictions in Thailand’s diplomatic approach to border disputes.

He argued that while Thailand seeks bilateral talks on maritime issues, it has resisted similar discussions regarding certain land border disputes.

Smith described hearing multiple loud shots shortly after beginning to record video near the border fence and casino area.

After the first shots, he said Cambodian soldiers advised him to move to a safer position by the roadside, where additional shots were allegedly fired.

Tensions Continue Along Border Areas

Since the ceasefire agreement reached on December 27, tensions have remained sensitive in several border zones. Cambodian observers have accused Thai forces of increasing military presence in some disputed areas, including the installation of barbed wire and shipping containers.

Smith has frequently appeared in these border regions in recent months, publishing videos and commentary supporting Cambodia’s territorial claims.

Despite the latest incident, he insisted he was not intimidated.

“My mission is to bring the truth to the world,” Smith said. “Even if it costs me my life.”

No official response from Thai authorities regarding Smith’s latest allegations had been publicly released at the time of reporting.