Thai Army Clarifies Drone Landing Incident, Rejects Surin Evacuation Claims
Military confirms emergency drone landing in Surin due to weather and denies online rumours of evacuation orders
The Royal Thai Army has confirmed that an unmanned aerial vehicle deployed for a reconnaissance and system testing mission made an emergency landing in Mueang District, Surin province, due to adverse weather conditions.
The announcement, made on Monday, follows public concern and speculation over military activity along the Thai-Cambodian border amid recent tensions.
Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree clarified that the drone operation was routine and unrelated to any combat activity.
He also addressed circulating rumours on social media alleging that the army had issued urgent evacuation orders for residents of Surin province in anticipation of a military operation against Cambodia.
These claims, which reportedly originated from statements shared by former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and a spokesperson from the Cambodian Ministry of Defence, were categorically denied by the Thai military.
Major General Suvaree urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and to rely on official communications to avoid unnecessary panic.
He emphasised that there were no evacuation orders in place and that border monitoring operations were continuing under standard protocol.