By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
20 December 2007
Five Cambodians are being held in Thailand after a cross-border raid by Thai security forces, witnesses, local authorities and rights groups said Thursday.
Witnesses in Samrong district, Odar Meanchey province, told VOA Khmer that on Monday Thai soldiers arrested five lumber cutters in Bansaay Reak commune. Other workers escaped, witnesses said.
Thai Embassy officials could not be reached for comment Thursday.
One escapee, Vinh Phal, told VOA Khmer the people of the area are poor and need to cut wood to survive.
At around lunchtime Monday, Thai soldiers raided the group of workers, arresting five, said Vinh Phal, who hid and watched.
"When they arrested the people, the five people, they told them to cut down a whole tree and told them to drag the tree along with them," he said.
They took the equipment, "everything," he said.
Hin Liep, the wife of one of the arrested men, appealed to the government to secure her husband's release.
"My children and I have a hard time," she said.
Bansaay Reak Commune Chief Hem Teda confirmed the arrests.
"After the arrest, they ordered them to cut the logs and take some pictures," said Srei Naren, a coordinator for the rights group Adhoc. "Then they took all five people, along with the logs, into Thailand. Now they've charged those Cambodian people with logging in their territory."
Witnesses in Samrong district, Odar Meanchey province, told VOA Khmer that on Monday Thai soldiers arrested five lumber cutters in Bansaay Reak commune. Other workers escaped, witnesses said.
Thai Embassy officials could not be reached for comment Thursday.
One escapee, Vinh Phal, told VOA Khmer the people of the area are poor and need to cut wood to survive.
At around lunchtime Monday, Thai soldiers raided the group of workers, arresting five, said Vinh Phal, who hid and watched.
"When they arrested the people, the five people, they told them to cut down a whole tree and told them to drag the tree along with them," he said.
They took the equipment, "everything," he said.
Hin Liep, the wife of one of the arrested men, appealed to the government to secure her husband's release.
"My children and I have a hard time," she said.
Bansaay Reak Commune Chief Hem Teda confirmed the arrests.
"After the arrest, they ordered them to cut the logs and take some pictures," said Srei Naren, a coordinator for the rights group Adhoc. "Then they took all five people, along with the logs, into Thailand. Now they've charged those Cambodian people with logging in their territory."
8 comments:
Cambodian army is useless.
It don't protect the country but it kill khmer people.
Now the Thai plays game with Hun Sen and Hun Sen doesn't say a shit. What is the fuck with this one eye? This guy can send his troops to beat up Khmer Krom monks and his subordinate citizens, but don't do a damp thing to Thai. If you're a coward, Ah Hun Sen, why don't you send your elite force in your compound to get rid of Thai incursion? You're so chicken and could only do to your own people. You're a very scump of the earth and has no moral.
Next time Khmer people including Khmer Krom will beat you and your family up as you did to our people.
I said all along that Cambodian Army is not used for protection of Cambodian citizens but for crushing their own cambodian countrymen who don't go along with the leaders only. Don't expect help from your army when you are in danger.
Are you crazy. It is easier to hit monks who have no arms than engage in fighting with Thai soldiers! Leave Hun Sen's soldiers alone.
This is clearly a terrorist act by the Thaicong government against Cambodian people!
When the fucken Thaicong committed terrorist act against Cambodia and the Thaicong embassy in Cambodia remain silent and AH Hun Sen too!
I believe Cambodia has the right to defend itself against any aggression! I wonder what happen to AH HUN SEN anti-terrorist policy and why it is not enforce.
Since Cambodia can't afford jet fighters to patrol Cambodian border and I suggest Cambodia must invest heavily in anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles! And Cambodia needs to field more military personnel along Cambodian border to stop the Thaicong terrorists from terrorize Cambodian people again!
This is the war on terror! The fucken Thaicong will never get away for what they have done!
Neak DerkNam Khmer Maneak Nis Jes Tae Niyeay Tah Prof Ghai MerlGaiy Khmer...Ter Haet Avey Kae Min Merl Kloun Aign Tah Kae Ban Oiy Youn, Thai Merl Ghaiy Khmer Rael Tae Tngaiy...
Cambodian Army nowady they do not used to protect people and country. They used to rob people land and property
We can blame Thai for Killing Khmer people but we Khmers should blame our leaders for doing nothing to protect our people. Khmers like to use force against their own khmers only but in the face of foreigners they are cowards. Whoever blame only Thai while ignoring our Khmer leaders failure to protect their citizens are shortsighted.
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