A Cambodian soldier covers his anti-aircraft gun system at the Thai border. (AFP)25/01/2010
Bangkok Post
Thai border rangers have clashed with Cambodian troops near the Preah Vihear national park in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.
Twelve rangers attached to the 23rd Ranger Forces Regiment were on patrol near Huay Khanun dam, east of the national park, when they were ambushed about 9.25am yesterday by Cambodian troops, a military source said.
The Cambodians fired RPG rockets and sprayed the rangers with bullets. The rangers sought cover before returning fire. The gunfight lasted about 10 minutes but no one was hurt.
The source said Cambodian forces moved up over 1,000 troops along their side of the border, opposite Ban Samtae in Si Sa Ket, after the clash. Cambodia has denied starting the confrontation.
"There was a small clash," Cambodian deputy military commander Chea Dara said, claiming the Thai side were the first to open fire. "They entered our territory. It was Cambodian self-defence. We don't allow anyone to invade our territory." A military source said the clash came after the Cambodian soldiers barred a Thai patrol from entering a disputed border area. The Thais tried to negotiate with the Cambodians but the situation escalated into gunfire.
Tensions eased after the commanders of the two forces agreed to establish closer contacts.
The two sides also suspended their border patrols for the time being.
The border situation flared up two weeks ago when two Cambodian soldiers were captured for trespassing on Thai soil, according to the source.
The soldiers were later sent back but the commanders of their units faced disciplinary punishment. They blame the Thai soldiers for causing the latest round of border hostility.
Nat Sri-in, commander of the 63rd Infantry Battalion responsible for security operations at Ban Samtae and the Chong Ta Thao border pass near the Preah Vihear national park, said rangers also clashed with illegal loggers when they came across them while on patrol yesterday.
The loggers opened fire to scare off the approaching rangers and then ran off when the rangers returned fire, Lt Col Nat said.
Twelve rangers attached to the 23rd Ranger Forces Regiment were on patrol near Huay Khanun dam, east of the national park, when they were ambushed about 9.25am yesterday by Cambodian troops, a military source said.
The Cambodians fired RPG rockets and sprayed the rangers with bullets. The rangers sought cover before returning fire. The gunfight lasted about 10 minutes but no one was hurt.
The source said Cambodian forces moved up over 1,000 troops along their side of the border, opposite Ban Samtae in Si Sa Ket, after the clash. Cambodia has denied starting the confrontation.
"There was a small clash," Cambodian deputy military commander Chea Dara said, claiming the Thai side were the first to open fire. "They entered our territory. It was Cambodian self-defence. We don't allow anyone to invade our territory." A military source said the clash came after the Cambodian soldiers barred a Thai patrol from entering a disputed border area. The Thais tried to negotiate with the Cambodians but the situation escalated into gunfire.
Tensions eased after the commanders of the two forces agreed to establish closer contacts.
The two sides also suspended their border patrols for the time being.
The border situation flared up two weeks ago when two Cambodian soldiers were captured for trespassing on Thai soil, according to the source.
The soldiers were later sent back but the commanders of their units faced disciplinary punishment. They blame the Thai soldiers for causing the latest round of border hostility.
Nat Sri-in, commander of the 63rd Infantry Battalion responsible for security operations at Ban Samtae and the Chong Ta Thao border pass near the Preah Vihear national park, said rangers also clashed with illegal loggers when they came across them while on patrol yesterday.
The loggers opened fire to scare off the approaching rangers and then ran off when the rangers returned fire, Lt Col Nat said.
15 comments:
Bangcock Post!
As always Bangcock Post like to write bullshit things just to make the Siem look good for the world to see!
By definition the military range is a "Small groups of soldiers trained to make surprise raids behind enemy lines."
http://www.answers.com/topic/army-rangers
This is clearly a reconnaissance mission conducted by the 12 Siem army rangers! The Siem army rangers have no business behind Cambodian line of fire and this is what happen when these Siem army rangers try to sneak in behind the enemy line!
To Cambodian soldiers and never let the enemy stay behind you and this is war!
Good move on Khmer side! Keep up the good work! Do not let them intimidate or step on our land. They are the troublemakers and if they want our land, they will pay the consequences with death. Do not play their game. They are out there for our land and we should not take them as friends or brothers either. They are evil and have bad intentions. Shoot to kill!
What a neighbor, huuh? Sharing the meals, playing some sports together and then encroach the border. What a neighbor...
Siams, you are one shameless animal in south east asia. I despise you. Death to the trouble makers. God bless the Khmer.
Stop asking silly question when the Siam troops step in our soil. Shoot to kill right away. That's the only clear language the Siam understand. Kill'em evil troopers.
The stupid current Thai government must be removed without delay so that there may be peace along the border line. Death to the invaders.
The following comments written by Bangcock post sound unrealistic:
The troops exchanged gunfire for over 20 minutes before the Cambodian soldiers withdrew into Cambodia.
Why the Cambodians would withdraw while the thief illegally trespass Cambodian’s land? Also why did the bandit wounded if they would have stayed put at the base? Unless its invaders.
Get real fact before posted for the world to read!
Dear compatriots!
What I wish for now is that all of us Khmer patriots do not lose attention from the Vietnamese "REAL" encroachment to the "FAKE" Siamese artificial problems.
It is just one of the same strategy of the CPP ruled government in turning your attention from the real fact to another invented issue. Believe me!
Love,
RD
That litle erruption just to test the position before they advancing the invasion forces, Hun Sen regime will be fallen if the full scale errupt.
Need the regime change!
Down to Hun Sen and Sihanouk!
Victor to Sam Rainsy Party!
Why don't they build a tent over it or something? to cover this gunship? instead of using one piece of cloth to cover..? i hated Khmer lazy Azzz!
It's commander weakness and lacking of experienced or dumbass Chea Dara, Srey Duek, they should have some kind of military tent to cover the Guns or soldier equipments...i've seen Khmer soldier used sand bag with white color? and blue color? you know, the enemy could see this from miles miles away..? very dangerous! it's good target for artillery shelling!
What the Cambodian soldiers need to use is the camo net tent to camouflage this anti-aircraft machine gun from the enemy aircraft or enemy position. Seem like the leader doesn't care or just doesn't have one. Remember this is ghetto army. They just improvide for themselves on whatever they have cus they are poor soldiers. The CPP dont want to spend on millitary supplies for them. Thats why their uniform are not matched.
That anti-aircraft is suitable to fire on oxcart! what a joke!
I've seen khmer soldier weapons sitting under the heat, hot and hazy day at the preah vihear, no tent or screening cover on top, they just laid their weapons down under the hot day, felt like 105-110 degree....i'm afraid, they explode or something? because during day time, very hot overthere...
I don't think those Khmer commanders are knowledgeble at all, they should provide their soldier with proper military equipments, all guns, bullets, rockets and other soldier equipped must cover with military tent or military raincoats, alot of Khmer soldier still wore mismatched uniforms..? and i agree with you guy above! guns, rockets, bullets, should have proper tent to cover and well protects from the HEAT!! it's very dangerous to let them sitting under the heat like that...Khmers soldier are so careless!!
Uneducated people! that's tell everything about those Khmer soldiers...
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