Two other Cambodian laborers killed by Thai soldiers

12 Jan 2010
By Pech Bandol
Free Press Magazine
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
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Two poor Cambodian villagers who work on logging and hauling precious wood were killed like animals by Thai soldiers.

Police from the Trapaing Prasat district, Oddar Meanchey province, said that two men among a group of 30 wood loggers and haulers were shot and killed by Thai soldiers on 10 January 2010 on top of Phnom Dangrek, O’Svay commune, Trapaing Prasat district, Oddar Meanchey province. Furthermore, 8 other loggers disappeared while 20 others are currently on the run.

The report indicated that, as of 12 January, the Thai authority did not return the body of the two laborers yet. These unfortunate loggers were hired by front men to log and haul wood. As for the laborers who disappeared, their fate is still unknown.

Quite frequently, the Thai authority unmercifully shoots and kills Cambodian laborers who cross the border to work illegally in Thailand. The Cambodian government is never seen reacting to these incidents, furthermore, when Thai citizens are caught perpetrating illegal acts in Cambodia, not only the Cambodian government never punishes them, but it even return them back to the Thai authority with respect in order to please the Thais.

A group of Thais shot Cambodian log-hauling workers and killed one

13 July 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A group of Thai shooters fired on 5 Cambodians on 11 July 2009, when the latter climbed on the Dangrek Mountain chain to haul logs for a living. The Koh Santepheap newspaper reported that the killing committed by Thai shooters took place at noon time on 11 July. The Thai shooters fired on 5 Cambodians who are working to haul logs and one of them was shot and died, while the other 4 escaped back to Cambodia near Stung Chan village, Stung Chan commune, Khun Han district, Si Sa Ket province, Thailand. The source above indicated that the shooting victim is 27-year-old Sy Bun Thorn, from the Dambon Akphiwat village, O’Svay commune, Trapaing Prasat district, Oddar Meanchey province. Vann Kosal, the Trapaing Prasat district governor, said that, in the past, he tried to let the villagers know about this problem, but he couldn’t stop them because those who hire the villagers are gathering them to work and promised them high pay. Vann Kosal called on the Cambodian armed forces who are defending the border to help prevent these incidents, otherwise, they will happen again.