Thai army chiefs hide the number of Thai fatalities

Friday, October 17, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy for Ki-Media

An independent source indicated that Thai army chief hid the information about the number of its soldiers killed and injured. A reliable source said that there were 7 Thai soldiers killed, and a number of these dead soldiers were discovered and taken out from the frontline in the morning of 16 October. Low-ranking Thai soldiers said that 20 of their comrades disappeared, however, they may not be dead but that they have deserted from their rank and they could possibly be found at their homes. At the same time, the same source indicated that 23 Thai soldiers were seriously or slightly injured and 13 Thai soldiers were arrested by Cambodian troops, however, they have already been released now. In Thailand, the land-greedy Thai army chiefs are falsifying the truth about who actually fired first, and they insisted on placing the blame on Cambodia. They are also hiding the actually number of Thai soldiers killed and injured, in order to avoid condemnations from their own people.
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Khmerization: Some Khmer sources said between 5 to 12 Thai soldiers were killed. Cambodge Soir Hebdo reported that 5 Thai soldiers were killed. Radio Free Asia reported 6 Thai soldiers killed and Pang Sokhoeun reported 12 Thai soldiers killed.