Border shootout prompts protest to Cambodia govt
Written by changthai11 on Sunday, October 5th, 2008
Border shootout prompts protest to Cambodia govt
FIVE TROOPS WOUNDED IN EXCHANGE OF FIRE
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL and WASSANA NANUAM
The Foreign Ministry yesterday protested to the Cambodian government for what it sees as aggression and a violation of Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity committed by Cambodian soldiers.
On Friday, Thai and Cambodian soldiers in the border area of Si Sa Ket province clashed.
Two Thai and three Cambodian soldiers were wounded.
Cambodian charge d’affaires to Bangkok Ouk Sophoin was summoned last night to meet permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul at the ministry and was given an aide-memoire.
Speaking after the one-hour meeting, Mr Virasakdi said Thailand had protested to Cambodia after its troops opened fire on the Thai troops.
“The Thai government demands the Cambodian government ensure that a similar incident does not recur because this incident might affect attempts by both countries to seek a peaceful solution to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute,” said Mr Virasakdi.
The Thai para-military rangers from Suranaree Task Force were patrolling along the Thai-Cambodian border inside Thai territory near Phu Ma Khua last Friday.
When they arrived in an area about one kilometre to the west of Preah Vihear temple, they discovered an intrusion into Thai territory by a group of Cambodian soldiers who were digging trenches in the area around Preah Vihear temple.
Four unarmed Thai para-military rangers were told to notify the Cambodian soldiers that they had intruded into Thai territory and asked them to leave.
But the Cambodian soldiers consulted their superiors by radio and were heard to receive instructions to fire at the Thai soldiers.
The Cambodian troops started firing their guns into the air. The Thai para-military rangers decided to leave the scene when the Cambodian soldiers opened fire at them, prompting the Thai unit stationed nearby to return fire to protect the Thai troops.
“The Thai government considers the intrusion of the Cambodian soldiers into Thailand’s territory a serious violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Firing on unarmed Thai para-military rangers is a brutal and aggressive act and is contrary to the spirit of friendly relations between the two countries,” said the aide-memoire.
Mr Virasakdi said digging trenches violated the agreement between the two armed forces made during the Special Meeting of the Thailand-Cambodia Regional Committee in Surin province on Aug 13, that both sides must refrain from digging trenches close to the Preah Vihear.
The Cambodians’ action also violated the agreement between the two foreign ministers for soldiers from the two sides to exercise restraint, he said.
“Mr Ouk Sophoin was still adamant that the incident occurred inside Cambodian territory, according to their report,” he said.
The Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh was summoned to a protest by the Cambodian government.
Former deputy army chief Vichit Yathip, who has a close relationship with Cambodian military leaders, said he had spoken to Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh about the clash.
Gen Vichit said a soldier cracked under the strain and fired shots into the air, prompting the exchange of gunfire.
