Original report from Phnom Penh
03 April 2009
Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged gun, rocket and artillery fire in clashes along the disputed Preah Vihear border on Friday, with both sides blaming the other for firing first in the most serious fighting to date in a months-long standoff.
Two Thai deaths and six injuries were confirmed by the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, but Cambodian military sources said late Friday at least two more Thai soldiers were killed in afternoon battles. The Thai Embassy was not able to confirm the other two Thai fatalities.
There were conflicting reports of casualties from within the Cambodian government.
Ten Thai soldiers were being held as a result of the fighting, said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith, who told VOA Khmer no Cambodians were injured or killed.
However, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces commander Gen. Pol Sareoun said two Cambodians had been killed, in fighting started by the Thais.
Around 7:15 am, five Thai soldiers entered Veal Entry, or Eagle Field, encountering a forest encampment of Cambodian soldiers, who ordered them to turn back, military officials in Phnom Penh and on the border said.
Cambodian infantryman Chan Chhorn, who was monitoring radio traffic near Eagle Field Friday morning, told VOA Khmer the Thais had fired first.
The Thai Embassy could not confirm who shot first, but a Thai military spokesman told CNN in Bangkok that the fighting was sparked by an “intrusion” of Cambodian troops on Thai soil.
By 1:30 pm, the fighting had spread to three other sites—Phnom Trap, an area known as “Beehive,” and Krom market, near Preah Vihear temple—according to Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan, who provided reporters a map of the fighting late Friday.
A civilian market area burned and portions of Preah Vihear temple were damaged by rocket and machine gunfire Friday afternoon, Chan Chhorn said.
The fighting had stopped by Friday evening, officials said.
No civilians were reported dead Friday. A villager living near the temple said those who had motorcycles or cars had fled the area.
The shooting follows the injury to a landmine by one Thai soldier near Eagle Field Thursday and a tense armed standoff without shooting at Eagle Field on Monday and Tuesday. Eagle Field was also the site of fighting in October, where at least one Thai and three Cambodians died.
Thai and Cambodian troops have been amassed along the border since July 2008, when Preah Vihear temple’s Unesco World Heritage listing sparked protests in Bangkok and on the border. Friday’s fighting was the most serious so far, in a series of escalations since July.
Both sides lay claim to a small stretch of land near the ancient cliff-top temple, with each using different map versions to mark the border.
Friday’s fighting had not canceled a scheduled meeting between joint border committees in Phnom Penh on Monday and Tuesday, according to Var Kimhong, chief of Cambodia’s border committee.
Prime Minister Hun Sen is expected to attend an Asean forum in Thailand next week. Officials could not confirm whether that trip will be canceled as a result of Friday’s fighting.
Two Thai deaths and six injuries were confirmed by the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, but Cambodian military sources said late Friday at least two more Thai soldiers were killed in afternoon battles. The Thai Embassy was not able to confirm the other two Thai fatalities.
There were conflicting reports of casualties from within the Cambodian government.
Ten Thai soldiers were being held as a result of the fighting, said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith, who told VOA Khmer no Cambodians were injured or killed.
However, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces commander Gen. Pol Sareoun said two Cambodians had been killed, in fighting started by the Thais.
Around 7:15 am, five Thai soldiers entered Veal Entry, or Eagle Field, encountering a forest encampment of Cambodian soldiers, who ordered them to turn back, military officials in Phnom Penh and on the border said.
Cambodian infantryman Chan Chhorn, who was monitoring radio traffic near Eagle Field Friday morning, told VOA Khmer the Thais had fired first.
The Thai Embassy could not confirm who shot first, but a Thai military spokesman told CNN in Bangkok that the fighting was sparked by an “intrusion” of Cambodian troops on Thai soil.
By 1:30 pm, the fighting had spread to three other sites—Phnom Trap, an area known as “Beehive,” and Krom market, near Preah Vihear temple—according to Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan, who provided reporters a map of the fighting late Friday.
A civilian market area burned and portions of Preah Vihear temple were damaged by rocket and machine gunfire Friday afternoon, Chan Chhorn said.
The fighting had stopped by Friday evening, officials said.
No civilians were reported dead Friday. A villager living near the temple said those who had motorcycles or cars had fled the area.
The shooting follows the injury to a landmine by one Thai soldier near Eagle Field Thursday and a tense armed standoff without shooting at Eagle Field on Monday and Tuesday. Eagle Field was also the site of fighting in October, where at least one Thai and three Cambodians died.
Thai and Cambodian troops have been amassed along the border since July 2008, when Preah Vihear temple’s Unesco World Heritage listing sparked protests in Bangkok and on the border. Friday’s fighting was the most serious so far, in a series of escalations since July.
Both sides lay claim to a small stretch of land near the ancient cliff-top temple, with each using different map versions to mark the border.
Friday’s fighting had not canceled a scheduled meeting between joint border committees in Phnom Penh on Monday and Tuesday, according to Var Kimhong, chief of Cambodia’s border committee.
Prime Minister Hun Sen is expected to attend an Asean forum in Thailand next week. Officials could not confirm whether that trip will be canceled as a result of Friday’s fighting.
21 comments:
About time all weapons reach in time from China. Lets fight the Thai.
No more talk!!
hun sen's strategy will cause more khmer lives. he's a war crimal.
why doesn't he bring this issue to the international court? or he is afraid of doing so because it will complicate the viet-khmer border issue?
Hey 9:38PM, Can you guy pls stop barking like a mad dog. It would be very much appreciate if you know how to set up a so-called strategy for your own small family.
It is time to show the Thai that Cambodia is not a spineless or coward country,that we fight to defend our land. Now we should move into Thai proper territories as well, near Preah Vihear and near Odor Meanchey the other trouble areas. We will go to the UN when we get rid of the Thai on our land.
Chaiyo Samdech HunSen
Chaiyo Khmer Army (RKAF)
Khmer American
10:09 pm
I don't want to see any more killing.
My strategy for my own family is to maintain a safe environment for all members. We do not promote violence and/or crimes. We like to solve any problem in a peaceful way. So far it wokrs well and everybody is happy and successful. In the Camdodia case there is an alternative way (the international way) to solve the problem. Hun Sen should have tried it first before anything else. It's up to Hun Sen. Do you see that?
How about you? Do you believe in violence and like to kill your own family? I see your point that you want to kill Thai to solve the problem, but before there is any fighting, do you think that there is a better way to solve the problem? Fighting, you know can cause Khmer lives too. Would you like to sacrafice your life not for Cambodia but for Hun Sen?
Maybe I sound like a dog that barks because I have no power, and you, my friend, also sound like Hun Sen's dog waiting for bones and never complaints about anything. What a good dog you are!
I believe that your like to see all Khmer live in peace.
10:09 PM , answer 9:38 PM question ..
10:45PM – I am not 10:09PM. I am sadden to see our fellow Khmers can not set aside our internal differences when facing a common threat. Your idea about peaceful environment is very noble and I very much appreciate it. However, we are living in a real world where our neighbours do not want to respect our sovereignty. All they want is to intimidate us and steal our lands. We are not the one that started all these provocations. Thailand never wants to respect international laws or treaties. Thai people are not trust worthy. They say all the good things, but always do the bad things. We have no choice but to confront them, event it means militarily. You have a good point about bringing the matter to UN. But be careful my friend. What make you think UN is going to take your side all the times? Thailand has the money and connection to lobby UN officials, Cambodia don’t have that luxury. If for some reason, Thailand through its international network and trade, is able to lobby UN to disregard Cambodia request, Thai will use that as a legitimate mean to provoke more confrontations. Yes, we need to rely on UN to resolve the issue, but don’t just do it blindly as a child. We have to use some military mean on the ground.
CNN shouldn't take side. Report base on Thai military spokeperson is not correct as most of the time Thai alway lies, top down to the bottom.
Once a military conflict has started, we need to maintain a military present, on our land in this case, before we can negotiate. The cease fire and a final treaty may be based on your last military presence. In this case we must push the Thai military out of our land first before we go to the UN which may now be influenced by many counties symphatizing with Thailand.
Once a military conflict has started, we need to maintain a military present, on our land in this case, before we can negotiate. The cease fire and a final treaty may be based on your last military presence. In this case we must push the Thai military out of our land first before we go to the UN which may now be influenced by many counties symphatizing with Thailand.
10:09AM, It is the Thai who started the fight when we went to inspect the land mine explosion site early in the day. We cannot stanby and get killed by the Thai invaders on our own territories. You would prefer to get killed first then go to the UN?. This is plain stupidity and cowardice.
10:09AM, It is the Thai who started the fight when we went to inspect the land mine explosion site early in the day. We cannot stanby and get killed by the Thai invaders on our own territories. You would prefer to get killed first then go to the UN?. This is plain stupidity and cowardice.
If the dogs/siems want to talk, why do they mass the troops on the border? Answer that question.
Cambodia fights back not that we want to but we have to... to defend our homeland from the historic invader.
I believe Cambodia must use all options available to us - soft and hard means. We must be smart and be prepared for different scenarios when it come to the Siamese trouble maker.
12:17 AM
It's show of force. Psychological part of politics and war is intimidation. You can't beat an enemy that you can't intimidate. So, Thailand is like a kid with new toys showing off to Khmer kid who has wooden blocks but be careful those wooden blocks can still bash your fucking head if needed be as it has been proven.
You need to have military presence in showing that you have the capacity to fight if needed be. So when you go into talks, you are not at the disadvantage.
Imagine who is gonna listen to you or even take you seriously in a talk if you have no military beefed up and ready to go.
Siem naked aggression will not be rewarded!
Forget what the fucken Siem bastards have to say and it is their action that is matter and their action will be observed by international community!
It seems that the majority of posters prefer to fight as a last resort. I agree, but has Hun Sen tried to solve the problem with the UN to start with? No!
11AM, the UN did not hep us. UN did not take our case last October when 3 of our soldiers died fighting. Only France was on our side. The US and England asked us Cambidia and Thailand to go back to conference table which as we have seen today got nowhere.
I support our Khmer soldiers 100%, but I don't support Hun Sen's policy on dealing with the border issue with Thailand.
10:15
If we got rid of Thai military on our territory, we would not need the United Nation.
Sam Rainsy suggested that the Cambodian government must bring in the United Nation to help solve problem because Thailand is violated international laws.
You've cheer for Hun Sen.
Hun Sen is a war crimal.
Hun Sen is a gangster.
Hun Sen is a Khmer Rouge commander.
Hen Sen kill innocent Khmer peoples than our enemies.
Are you stupid or something?
Don't tell anyone that you are Khmer, because you make Khmer peoples look bad.
10:45
If you really think that "so far is works well".
I think that is is an insult to the dead Khmer soldiers, because it did not works well when we have our Khmer soldiers is getting kill by our enemy that occupied three of our temples.
Hun Sen refuse to get the United Nation to solve the problem with Thailand that is continue to violated international laws.
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