Khmer soldiers during the confrontation at Chaim Sra-Ngam on 6th of June.Source:Khmer Sthapana newspaper
Reported by in English Khmerization
Tense confrontation between 30 Thai soldiers and an unknown number of Cambodian soldiers at Chaim Sra-Ngam Check point nearly lead armed clash on the afternoon of 6th of June, reports Khmer Sthapana.
A senior Cambodia military officer based at Chaim Sra-Ngam Checkpoint in Anlong Veng district who spoke on condition of anonymity said that about 30 Thai soldiers in full combat gears tried to force their ways into Cambodian territory to occupy a plot of lands near the checkpoint, but they were strongly challenged by the Cambodian soldiers who requested them to withdraw immediately. The Thai soldiers initially resisted the request to withdraw and intended to push further into Khmer territory but they were strongly warned by Khmer soldiers not to do so. At the end, they agreed to withdraw after Khmer soldiers strongly and repeatedly warned them to withdraw, but they did not withdraw far from the borderlines.
According to the unnamed officer, up until now the situation remained very tense and both sides are on heightened military alert.
Khmer military officials said that Thai soldiers had occupied this plot of lands once before and only agreed to withdraw after strong warnings from the Cambodian military.
Cambodian military sources said that, currently, the Khmer-Thai military confrontations occurred at various border locations at Chaim Sra-Ngam, the areas near Preah Vihear temple, at Veal Entry and Chak Chreng areas as well.
Cambodian military sources said that on 5th June, Thai tanks and armoured personnel carriers and four Thai military trucks equipped with heavy weaponry were trying to push into Cambodian territory at Chak Chreng which nearly caused an armed clash with Cambodian troops based in the areas.
The same sources said that the new tensions were caused by the Thai reinforcements of more troops to Chak Chreng and other nearby areas.
Gen. Srey Doek, commander of the Preah Vihear region, cannot be contacted for comments regarding the above reports.
