Original report from Phnom Penh
03 August 2009
Three soldiers died and one became seriously ill after eating potentially poisonous mushrooms picked near the temple of Preah Vihear, where a border dispute with Thailand continues, military officials said Monday.
The first death took place on July 27, followed by one on July 29 and one on July 30. The fourth soldier remains hospitalized in Siem Reap.
Chea Mon, commander of Division 4, said the men cooked and ate unknown mushrooms in a soup a few days prior to the deaths.
“We tried to cure them, but we couldn’t help, because they ate a lot of poisonous mushrooms,” he said.
The deceased soldiers were identified as Ros Mao, 30, So Rim, 32, and Sing Roeun, 34. Yoeun Be, 30, remains in the hospital.
The soldiers were stationed near Preah Vihear temple, where an ongoing border dispute has meant the mobilization of thousands of soldiers over the past year.
Srey Douk, commander of the armed forces in the Preah Vihear operation, said his soldiers had plenty of food to eat, thanks to donations, and he warned other soldiers against eating unknown mushrooms scavenged from the forest.
The first death took place on July 27, followed by one on July 29 and one on July 30. The fourth soldier remains hospitalized in Siem Reap.
Chea Mon, commander of Division 4, said the men cooked and ate unknown mushrooms in a soup a few days prior to the deaths.
“We tried to cure them, but we couldn’t help, because they ate a lot of poisonous mushrooms,” he said.
The deceased soldiers were identified as Ros Mao, 30, So Rim, 32, and Sing Roeun, 34. Yoeun Be, 30, remains in the hospital.
The soldiers were stationed near Preah Vihear temple, where an ongoing border dispute has meant the mobilization of thousands of soldiers over the past year.
Srey Douk, commander of the armed forces in the Preah Vihear operation, said his soldiers had plenty of food to eat, thanks to donations, and he warned other soldiers against eating unknown mushrooms scavenged from the forest.
11 comments:
If cambodian leaders can not afford or supply the soldiers for enough to eat and why bother running the country??
I've seen a lot of soldier, especially at the front line, they are lack of foods and supplies, a lot of them still wore sandle and rusty rifle, but most of these soldier are the front-line fighter? for those that stay behind they dress nice uniforms, nice shoe and carry modern weapons...?
This is embarashing to the thai and all around the world because the high official refuse to do the right thing.
There should be enough food, uniform, resting station, and weapons. And surely, no one can take responsibility or bragging rights. And also surely, no one is gonna be punished for it.
This is stone's age mentality.
Food has to be donated? What the hell? The government is suppose to fund the military so that the military is able to equip their soldiers with modern weapons, appropriate uniforms, regular stipends, medical care and plenty of food ration. Food should never have to be donated by the citizens. Food should be a top priority of the government to provide for its front line military personnel. Then again, this Cambodia and the military/police generals as well as those controlling the country are all a bunch of f****ed up greedy cowards. Cambodia cannot defend itself militarily if it lacks resources and competent leadership.
The funny thing is, the security gurad and personel body guards or special police for Hun Sen, most of them dress in nice uniforms and even drove HUMMER? but they are alway stay behind and hang around in the bars, nice restaurant with some young movie star, for those who are risking their life at the front line, don't have enough rice to eat, they have to go in the forest collecting some wild vegetable to fill-in...?? this is fucken wrong man!
The soldiers don't have enough food to eat. The leaders and corrupted officers have all kinds of money that they can't count.
Bravo...Cambodia the Country of Wonders...
Agree! those High drunken officials got so much of money these days! that's why their son or daughter gone wild race their lexus,rang rover destroying traffic light-pole every night...
The current government is like others who reign before them. Lots of glory and so called achievement is always going to come an end. Then hopefully the opposition are ready to take it's place.
This is how Angkar Leu treats Cambodian soldiers. they have to hunt for food themselves, no food will be distributed to the frontline soldiers.
I felt so sad for these soldier at the front line, they are mostly vetrans fighter, their uniforms is old, carring old rifle AK-47 and they look skinny in the hot hazy day, it's seem to me that they're not healthy at all, i've seen them cooked wild baby bamboo shoot from the forest with snail "khjong", these old soldier should has been retired and stay home with wife and kids at home instead....?
Yep! those young and healthy soldiers stay behind and party with young movie star at the club, driving HUMMER, LEXUS, RANG ROVER...and carry modern weapons to show off only!!!!
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