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Border clash with Cambodia claims another Thai soldier life
Source: Xinhua |
April 28, 2011, Thursday
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THE exchanges of gunfire and heavy weapons between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border area erupted early this morning, claiming another Thai soldier life.
Colonel Prawit Hukaew, deputy chief of staff Army Region 2, said that the new round of skirmish flared up at about 4.00 am local time today when Cambodia reinforced their troops at the disputed area and started firing at Thai soldiers in an attempt to capture the temples of Ta meun and Ta Kwai (or Ta Moan and Ta Krabei in Cambodian name).
Col. Prawit said Thai troops fought back until they were able to force Cambodian soldiers out of disputed areas early this morning.
Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Thai Army spokesman, told Xinhua by telephone that Cambodian troops opened fire using rocket- propelled grenade (RPG), mortar and BM-21 multiple rocket launchers and Thai soldiers had to retaliate with heavy weapons.
"Thai soldiers only strike military target," said Col. Sansern.
The spokesman also reaffirmed that Thai troops were still in full control of the situation and areas around the temples.
The attempt to hold truce talks collapsed on Tuesday as Thailand's Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wonsuwan canceled appointment after finding some Cambodia media reports saying Thailand admitted defeat for arranging talks.
Earlier the day, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that throughout Wednesday's night, Thai troops have fired artillery shelling on Cambodian troops' positions at Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple and at 3:55 am (local time), Thai troops have increased their artillery shelling onto the two temple areas.
The fighting marks the seventh straight day of armed clashes between the two countries' troops.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed on Wednesday for truce talks, saying that the border conflict at Ta Moan temple, Ta Krabei temple and areas could be bilateral negotiated, except border disputed area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, which need the presence of the third party.
The clashes so far has killed eight Cambodian soldiers, six Thai soldiers and one Thai civilian, caused several dozens injured, and forced tens of thousands of the two countries' people flee home for safe shelters.
The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated. Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. But Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 square kilometers of scrub next to the temple.
Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.
Colonel Prawit Hukaew, deputy chief of staff Army Region 2, said that the new round of skirmish flared up at about 4.00 am local time today when Cambodia reinforced their troops at the disputed area and started firing at Thai soldiers in an attempt to capture the temples of Ta meun and Ta Kwai (or Ta Moan and Ta Krabei in Cambodian name).
Col. Prawit said Thai troops fought back until they were able to force Cambodian soldiers out of disputed areas early this morning.
Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Thai Army spokesman, told Xinhua by telephone that Cambodian troops opened fire using rocket- propelled grenade (RPG), mortar and BM-21 multiple rocket launchers and Thai soldiers had to retaliate with heavy weapons.
"Thai soldiers only strike military target," said Col. Sansern.
The spokesman also reaffirmed that Thai troops were still in full control of the situation and areas around the temples.
The attempt to hold truce talks collapsed on Tuesday as Thailand's Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wonsuwan canceled appointment after finding some Cambodia media reports saying Thailand admitted defeat for arranging talks.
Earlier the day, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that throughout Wednesday's night, Thai troops have fired artillery shelling on Cambodian troops' positions at Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple and at 3:55 am (local time), Thai troops have increased their artillery shelling onto the two temple areas.
The fighting marks the seventh straight day of armed clashes between the two countries' troops.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed on Wednesday for truce talks, saying that the border conflict at Ta Moan temple, Ta Krabei temple and areas could be bilateral negotiated, except border disputed area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, which need the presence of the third party.
The clashes so far has killed eight Cambodian soldiers, six Thai soldiers and one Thai civilian, caused several dozens injured, and forced tens of thousands of the two countries' people flee home for safe shelters.
The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated. Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. But Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 square kilometers of scrub next to the temple.
Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.
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