Chanthaburi: The Royal Thai Navy has firmly refuted reports from Cambodian media claiming that a Thai helicopter crossed into Cambodian territory. The Navy has confirmed that the helicopter did not breach the border and remains committed to maintaining peace along the Thai-Cambodian border.

According to Thai News Agency, Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, addressed the media reports which suggested a possible border crossing by a Thai helicopter on September 3, 2026. The Navy, through the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Protection Command, thoroughly investigated the claims and confirmed that the helicopter remained within Thai territory.

The helicopter was on a mission supporting the travel of the Commander of the Military Development Command and his delegation, who were inspecting the security fence construction along the Thai-Cambodian border near markers 52-59 in Chanthaburi province. During this mission, standard landing procedures required the helicopter to turn, which might have been misinterpreted from the ground as a border crossing.

GPS flight path data confirmed that the helicopter did not enter Cambodian territory. No alerts were issued by the Royal Thai Air Force air traffic control center regarding any deviation from the planned flight path. The pilot, a squadron commander from the Royal Thai Survey Department, is highly experienced and knowledgeable about border flight operations.

The Navy acknowledged that viewing aircraft from the ground near borders might lead to misunderstandings, as visual assessments alone cannot accurately determine aerial positions. Therefore, flight path data and recorded coordinates are essential for verification.

Following the incident, the Chanthaburi Marine Corps Task Force engaged with Cambodian forces to exchange factual information. Both sides reached a mutual understanding, and there are no ongoing issues in the area. The border situation remains stable.

A spokesperson for the Navy emphasized that Thailand aims to prevent the incident from escalating into tensions between the two countries. Effective communication and factual information are vital in preventing misunderstandings. The Royal Thai Navy remains committed to protecting national sovereignty while respecting neighboring countries' sovereignty and resolving issues through diplomatic channels to maintain peace along the border.