A Thai firefighter sprays water towards a burnt house at the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa ket Province, Thailand on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011. Cambodian and Thai troops resumed an artillery duel along their disputed border Saturday, killing at least one Thai soldier as some of the two countries' fiercest battles in years entered a second day. (AP Photo)
Govt probes claim 64 killed
Published: 6/02/2011
Bangkok Post
Writer: WASSANA NANUAM
The government said last night it was investigating an unconfirmed report that 64 Cambodian troops were killed in fighting at the border on Friday.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said they had received an initial report that Cambodian troops had suffered heavy casualties. The claim by a Thai military source of the 64 dead is in sharp contrast to earlier government reports that only two people _ one Thai villager and one Cambodian soldier _ were killed.
The two-hour exchange of gunfire near Si Sa Ket's Phu Ma Khua area took a heavy toll on the Cambodian Army's 80th and 81st battalions, said the source. Twelve suspected snipers were among those killed, the source said.
Also damaged on the Cambodian side were six artillery guns, 16 armoured vehicles and four multiple launch rocket systems, said the source. The onslaught almost wiped out the two Cambodian battalions, according to the source.
The Thai army did not start its barrage until Cambodia fired at civilian targets, a violation of the rules of engagement. "We didn't employ artillery at first, but had no choice when they directed the shelling at civilians," said the source. According to the source, the Thai army fired several hundreds artillery rounds in response to the Cambodian side's aggression to protect Thai citizens.
The heavy toll is believed to have prompted Cambodia's military leaders to call for truce talks late on Friday. Cambodian military officers Lt Gen Srey Doek and Lt Gen Chea Mon led a delegation to negotiate with Second Army commander Thawatchai Samutsakhon and Suranari Task Force commander Chavalit Choonprasarn.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd neither confirmed nor denied the report, but said: "If it's true, I would like to pay my condolences to them."
1 comment:
I don't believe this report for many reasons:
1. Thailand call for Cambodia to negotiate first.
2. Cambodia arrest more Thai soldiers when Thai soldiers have never arrested Cambodians. (Assume, Thai soldier arrested and killed Cambodians on spot. Maybe the 5 Thais captured by Cambodia were later killed too, but they were freed in a health faces).
3. The Red House was burned out, but no any media in Thailand reported about it.
4. Why more than ten thousand of Thai flee, if Cambodian soldiers are just a potato chip?
5. In Cambodian's routine (as I always see), when there are soldiers died, Cambodians will raise fund through media, broadcasting network, newspaper, ..etc. But, now, it's so quiet. Why those TVs have never so far call for funds to support the family of dead soldiers?
.............
Over all, I might analyze just wrongly. But, Hehe not stupid enough -:D
(From 15 years old Cambodian boy).
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