The National Police Chief declared he will prosecute a group of Cambodian youths who made a provocative video, ordering Region 2 police to capture the entire gang. The bomber claimed the act was due to quarrels among fellow nationals and insisted it was unrelated to border clashes.
On 18 Dec 2025 GMT+7, a group of Cambodian youths filmed a violent, confrontational clip involving bomb throwing, swords, and spartan knives. The incident occurred at Bueng Tata intersection on rural highway 3083 (Nong Yai - Chonburi), Nong Suea Chang Subdistrict, Nong Yai District, Chonburi Province. It later escalated into Pluak Daeng Police Station area in Rayong Province. The video went viral on social media, sparking outrage among Thai citizens over the group's behavior. Subsequently, Chonburi Provincial Police and Nong Yai Police arrested three suspects, as previously reported.
At 11:00 a.m., Police General Kittirat Phanphet, National Police Chief, personally arrived at Najomtien Police Station in Chonburi to interrogate the three suspects. He was accompanied by Police Major General Chokchai Ngamwong, Deputy Commander of Region 2 Police; Police Major General Phongphan Wongmanithes, Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police; Police Major General Pramot Ngampradit, Commander of Rayong Provincial Police; investigators from Chonburi Province; Nong Yai Police; and the Chonburi Provincial Police Commando unit. The suspects were transferred from Nong Yai Police Station to Najomtien Police Station for questioning.
The three arrested suspects are: 1. Mr. Kemmara Meut, 20, Cambodian national; 2. Mr. Samey, 21, the bomber who carried a spartan knife and posted the video online; 3. Pich, 20, the motorbike rider. Police General Kittirat Phanphet personally interrogated all three suspects for approximately one hour.
Police General Kittirat Phanphet stated that following the social media exposure of Cambodian laborers' conduct, three suspects have been arrested. Eight others appearing in the video remain at large. Investigations are ongoing to identify them. He has ordered Region 2 police to urgently track down all Cambodian and Thai individuals featured in the clip and prosecute them under the law.
Regarding motives, preliminary investigations reveal that the arrested suspects are workers at a factory in Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province. They had conflicts with another group of Cambodian workers employed at a different factory. The dispute escalated into a challenge that led to the incident. Investigations confirm this was a personal conflict among Cambodian workers and unrelated to the border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia. The suspects face charges under the Explosives Act for illegal possession of explosives and causing public nuisance.
Ms. Kerd Nuan, 50, a Cambodian and mother of 21-year-old Mr. Samey, the gang leader seen in the video, told reporters her son has lived in Thailand since age 15, totaling six years. He currently works at the same factory as her. She expressed regret over his behavior, noting he had always obeyed her and she had warned him against wrongdoing. She was shocked and saddened when police came to their home and when she saw the video. She insists her son's actions are unrelated to Thai people but stem from disputes among fellow Cambodians working in Chonburi. She has lived in Thailand for over 25 years and feels bad about the incident. Regarding the border situation, as a Cambodian, she hopes both sides reconcile soon.