Cambodian soldier Chi Meng shows where he was slightly wounded during last Friday’s firefight with Thai troops over disputed territory near Preah Vihear temple, which has been the focus of a prolonged military standoff between the two countries. Last week’s incident was the first eruption of violence since the crisis began in July. (Photo: Heng Chivoan)Tuesday, 07 October 2008
Written by Thet Sambath
The Phnom Penh Post
Preah Vihear province
Thais suddenly opened fire while walking away, he says
WITH a mix of bravado and surprise, Cambodian soldier Chi Meng describes the few short minutes last Friday during which a simmering standoff with Thai soldiers over disputed territory on the two countries' border erupted in violence.
Like they had numerous times before, he said, Thai troops had come to chat with the seven Cambodians deployed some two kilometres from Preah Vihear temple, an 11th-century ruin and flashpoint for the continuing faceoff between the two armies.
"I told them that we couldn't negotiate the dispute here. I told them to leave the problem to the top levels of government to be solved," said the 33-year-old former Khmer Rouge fighter who said he joined the military after the movement's collapse in 1998.
The 16 Thai troopers turned away, he said, adding: "I didn't really think too much about it because Thai soldiers usually come to talk to us." But they suddenly swung on the Cambodians and opened fire.
"I would never have thought that the Thai soldiers had decided to fire on us after they had already turned away," Chi Meng told the Post Monday.
"We weren't paying attention and had to defend ourselves with a B-40 rocket and AK rifles," he added.
The Thai government has insisted it was Cambodian soldiers who intruded on Thai territory and provoked the shoot-out that left two Thais and Chi Meng wounded.
"The Cambodian soldiers suddenly opened fire at the Thai rangers who were unarmed, prompting the Thai unit stationed nearby to return fire to protect the Thai personnel in self-defence," a Thai foreign ministry statement released Sunday said.
But Both Chi Meng and Bang Chin, another Cambodian trooper involved in the clash, dispute the claim.
"The Thais were firing many bullets at us - they were aiming to kill us," Chi Meng said, claiming that he shot one Thai soldier in the stomach and adding: "I watched him drop his gun and flee."
"From now on I won't allow [a similar incident] to happen," said Chi Meng. "I think the Thai soldiers were lucky that day. If we decide to attack, I don't think many of them are going to keep their lives."
WITH a mix of bravado and surprise, Cambodian soldier Chi Meng describes the few short minutes last Friday during which a simmering standoff with Thai soldiers over disputed territory on the two countries' border erupted in violence.
Like they had numerous times before, he said, Thai troops had come to chat with the seven Cambodians deployed some two kilometres from Preah Vihear temple, an 11th-century ruin and flashpoint for the continuing faceoff between the two armies.
"I told them that we couldn't negotiate the dispute here. I told them to leave the problem to the top levels of government to be solved," said the 33-year-old former Khmer Rouge fighter who said he joined the military after the movement's collapse in 1998.
The 16 Thai troopers turned away, he said, adding: "I didn't really think too much about it because Thai soldiers usually come to talk to us." But they suddenly swung on the Cambodians and opened fire.
"I would never have thought that the Thai soldiers had decided to fire on us after they had already turned away," Chi Meng told the Post Monday.
"We weren't paying attention and had to defend ourselves with a B-40 rocket and AK rifles," he added.
The Thai government has insisted it was Cambodian soldiers who intruded on Thai territory and provoked the shoot-out that left two Thais and Chi Meng wounded.
"The Cambodian soldiers suddenly opened fire at the Thai rangers who were unarmed, prompting the Thai unit stationed nearby to return fire to protect the Thai personnel in self-defence," a Thai foreign ministry statement released Sunday said.
But Both Chi Meng and Bang Chin, another Cambodian trooper involved in the clash, dispute the claim.
"The Thais were firing many bullets at us - they were aiming to kill us," Chi Meng said, claiming that he shot one Thai soldier in the stomach and adding: "I watched him drop his gun and flee."
I THINK THE THAI SOLDIERS WERE LUCKY THAT DAY.Despite pleas for calm following the Friday fighting and the ensuing crisis talks between Cambodian and Thai military commanders in the area, two land mine blasts Monday that wounded Thai soldiers have put the front line back on edge, with some Cambodian soldiers convinced the Thais were preparing to mount an assault.
"From now on I won't allow [a similar incident] to happen," said Chi Meng. "I think the Thai soldiers were lucky that day. If we decide to attack, I don't think many of them are going to keep their lives."
32 comments:
Now the Siamese are wounded and angry. Therefore the Khmer soldiers must be vigilant at all time. Trust not these Siamese.
They want to rob you of your remnant from the Khmer Empire. Being gentle and friendly and kindhearted to these Siamese only to be considered by them as weak and small.
Raise your courage, oh Khmer, and repel these centuries old adversary. They were the robbers and they have been our adversary, thus they will always be.
Not to instigate but to raise your full awareness of the looming danger. A crocodile will always be a crocodile.
big time are not showing yet ,poor khmer in front line defend the country but the core of land full filling with worms that ate all countrywide by veit cong .
to anonymous,informations came out from C.R.A.F .three months ago american donated 30 army military trucks and 15 humvees to cambodia and other iterms .The french still training cambodian pilotes .Three days ago french navy ship station in cambodia shipping military hardware for cambodia.The chinese donated 5 navy ships and 10 or 15 navy small boats for counter attack enemy on sea shore.the conflict between china and taiwan which american selling more arms to taiwan .cambodia may recieve more military hardwares from china and north korea.
Sound good to me 4:36 AM , I wish we (Khmer) can get some good hardware from China and north korea .. I strongly Belive that if We (Khmer) have enough good weapons , Khmer will be Second to Israel .. We will never let Ah Siames and AH YOUNs BULLY us ever again ... HOPe that CHINA will Invade AH KORNTORP soon .. GOD BLESS CAMBODIA NOT HUN SEN
Khmer still have 140,000 soldier. and most of our fighter(torp srouch) is already over at the dispute border. to 4:36 AM you are correct, there are big power countries is behind us to protect their investment. We are also waiting for a fighter jet from secret source. Even though now we are capable to inflict big damage to Ah Seim's soldier. They are nothing. 1979 just the Loa's kill almost thousand of them at their dispute border.
Anyway, we are more civilize(patience) than ever, I don't think there're going to be a full scale war. If it does, Ah Siem will be sorry that they would never mess with us again.
We Thai about to teach khmene a lesson. Since the falled of Angkor khmene all most gone, this time the khmene will be gone... We Thai can walk all over khmene to the ground.
7:10 AM
So far we saw you Thai walking on landmines too many times.
Ohhh. There goes the leg, it land on Khmer soil alright.
7:10 AM yeah we are eagerly waiting for the lesson. Bring it on! any time ah siam.
Thanks to this soldier who faced the Thai and defended our land successfully. Definitely this former Khmer Rouge has inferior armement but his previous experience helped us. Thai don't mess with these khmer soldiers.
I do not ask for war against Thailand. I know who is stronger and better equip. I do not want to see Khmer soldiers die. We are not ready to face them. We know we can win the court, BRING THIS ISSUE TO INTERNATIONAL COURT. We do not need to waste lives on this. Khmer life is worth more than ever. Defend we will, we do not start the flame. Remember, you start this war, we will give it to you. We are peaceful people unless pushed around.
Youn is losing to Khmer War. and what's about Ah Siem.Dak Vear Oy Deng Dai Mouy Dong Tov?
To 7:10, Dog Kantuykwian Siem, See the following comment from Khmer Soldier:
From now on I won't allow [a similar incident] to happen," said Chi Meng. "I think the Thai soldiers were lucky that day. If we decide to attack, I don't think many of them are going to keep their lives.
You can intrude Khmer so far because we are real Buddhist, wanted to live in peace not wanting war, and happy with what we have which is opposite to you. Your nation is greedy, aggressive, arrogant, seeing the poor country like us as inferior. Use your brain as a civilised nation.
We are not afraid of you, thief. Our soliders will kill yours when have an order.
Note that we wish to put any your soldiers'legs on the E-bay for resale and showing that thief Siem is intruding Patient Khmer.
You understand Ah THIEF SIEM
Even though poorly equipped, our Khmer brothers in arm still know to obey the order. You Thai don't know any discipline, walking all over the fucking place recklessly, explaining why some of your soldiers left body parts on our soil lol.
Don't even dream of invading anybody anymore. There is something more powerful than military superiority and it is the will to defend the homeland. Remember Vietname War? The viets were thought to be no match for the super power American army. Guess who won that one. The viet won because they had a real cause where American soldiers don't even know why they were in the jungle of Southeast Asian.
Let's just say hypothetically that Thai invade Khmer. Your soldiers will have the upper hand in the first push but once the whole Khmer blood mobolise with the cause to defend the motherland, your more superior military power won't out last the will to defend the motherland of Khmer people. You sacked Angkor and Loung Vak because Khmer were divided. But, today, we might have difference politically, Sam Rainsy, Hun Sen, etc.. But when it comes down to defending the motherland, I'm sure every Khmer will put aside their political difference and know their duty for having Khmer blood.
In a way I am glad you Thai are being aggressive toward us, this gives reasons for Khmer to unite and bond. There has never been a time since long ago that Khmer come together as one. Thank you Mr. Siam for uniting Khmer. You wanted to fuck with Khmer but in turn you help Khmer unite. Looks like the blade is cutting its handler.
Boy he is a damn good looking Khmer fellow! and a brave one too!
I think this incident will send a clear message to Bangkok gov't that we Khmers are NOT coward and we are ready to fight. United we stand Khmers people!
I would like to meet him in person. I'm leaving New York for Phhom Penh in Dec. 29.
Anyone has his address?
Regards,
KhmerNYC
8:55 AM
Good spirit, brother. Remember that at the end of the day, we're all Khmer. Let's all learn to focus more on what we share than what we have in difference. If Khmer don't love Khmer, who then? I would say if you want to meet him, just go the Preah Vihear. It's not that dangerous lol.
I have a dream that one day Khmer with any political affiliation can understand, trust, and love each other. I have a dream one day that once Khmer can understand and come to respect each other's politics, Khmer can come together as one and help build Cambodia to surpass all that the 50's and 60's Cambodia was. We like to remind ourselves and other of how great Cambodia once was but we forget that we hold the future and we can make Cambodia even better than the period we called the golden age. We can do it, my brothers and sisters. No matter who you support, Hun Sen, Sam Rainsy, Sihanouk, Ranarith, Kem Sokha, etc... come together as one and we can surely make it happen.
Khmer from Phnom Penh who is studying abroad
9.29am i like your comment, thanks. wish you success with study.
9.29am i like your comment, thanks. wish you success with study.
Damn, he looks like an older version of my nigga Vibol aka D-bo. That nigga is swoll.
These former KR fighters, along with other non-comunist resistance fighters are quite tough when it comes to the battles. Give them enough weapons, you will see. After all, they bled some 50k yuons duringteh ten year war.
I would really like it if we stop referring to these Cambodian Royal soldiers as Khmer Rouge. There is no more Khmer Rouge. They are Cambodian Royal soldiers now. I just feel that people keep looking down on them calling them that name KR. I remember the time when calling someone Ah Khmer Krohom is a derogatory term. They are not Khmer Rouge anymore. They have integrated back into Khmer society since 1998. That's 10 years ago. Can't we just see them as Khmer soldiers now huh?
10.52 am, yes, you are right, I am sorry to use the KR word. We are all brothers and sisters. i didn't mean any harm when i said in first post.
man i love this spirit of khmer unity........let's kick ah siam's arse.....they (ah siam) are nervous i tell you....can someone film those soldiers at work interview them and put them on youtube.....give them publicity....i want to hear them talk.....the next time i visit(soon) cambodia i'll go to meet them personally and have a drink with them....i just hope they don't think i'm ah siam so they don't use me as target practice.
See how much more pleasant and rewarding it is when Khmer love Khmer instead of hating? "All you need is love. All you need is love. Love! Love is all you need." -The Beatles :)
Support our Khmer soldiers.
Snaeha Jeeat Khmer! Jaeyo Kampuchea! Khmer Amatak!
Hey Thai shrimp-mud punk, you are dreaming too much of invading Khmer. You are nobody any longer. I feel thown out when to hear that you wanted to bomb Cambodia. Just suck my dick, punk. Have you heard about Russian Katoucha before? Tell you this is the best tool to shoot the plane. You are welcomed any time neighbour, but make sure to say "Bye-bye" to family and friend before the flight because this is the point of no return. Katoucha will chew you like a chewing-gum.
Remind! you better come soon to collect the "two legs" your soldier left on the scene few days ago, or we dump them into the bin for dog food.
Appreciate very much your best comment 9:29 AM and 10:52 AM.
I am proud of you my nice fellow countrymen soldiers and of you my friend.
During the next provocation of thais and exchanges of the shots.
I want that you Khmers soldiers kill the bastards thais.
For a thai soldier seriously injured, I give you : $200.
For a soldier thais killed, I give you : $400.
Give me your names, your telephone numbers, your banking account numbers on to this Web site where I can make you transfer some money when the next time you hurt seriously or you killed thais’s jerks.
God bless all of you .
Cheyo Kampuchea!
Cambodians must be really stupid to support hun xen war....but never see how yuon is replacing Khmer everyday when Khmer goes to war. Remember that you are becoming generation Xhmer now so wake up and smell the fish. How can you go to war when you can't even protect your food source like Tonle Sap! are you going to eat stones instead of fish? If you want to protect stones first must secure your food source. Too much nationalism kill people and that is why ah hun xen is doing that so you stupid can die for him and yuon.
6:10 PM
Folks, we got a Negative Nancy in here lol. Must there always be that one odd ball to ruin the occasion when Khmer are uniting and bonding? It's like when you're out partying and having fun, there is always that one friend who messes up the fun for everyone.
It is very interesting debate/forum this one! I like you all and am glad to see Khmers United. Be blessed Cambodia!
Its true though, while we are so worried about the western front, we have been letting our gaurd down on the eastern boarders where the crocs are just flooding in. Im willing to bet that if the situation on the eastern boarder were to be revealed to the public there would be intense nationalism and Khmer would be completely united.
The Tiger will be hunted, and Im also willing to replace my wallet for a crocodile-skinned one.
thank you for your service to your country. may god bless you, bro!!
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