Facts sought on downed copter
Published: 17/12/2011 at
Writer: Wassana Nanuam and Jakkrit Waewkraihong
Bangkok Post
Thai and Cambodian unit commanders are scheduled to meet today to discuss the shooting down of an unarmed Thai helicopter in the border province of Trat.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon. The Thai chopper - a Bell 212 - was on a regular flight to deliver provisions to troops stationed in the border areas when it was fired at by Cambodian soldiers.
The bullets hit the helicopter's main rotor blades and the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing. There were no injuries.
Vice Adm Phongsak Phureeroj, commander of the Royal Thai Marine Corps' border defence forces in Trat and Chanthaburi, insisted the craft was inside Thai territory when it was shot at. [Cambodian soldiers claimed they shot at the helicopter when the helicopter attempted to land inside Cambodian territory and ignored a warning not to do so].
The chopper was making a food delivery to marines in Trat province stationed only 50 metres from Cambodian troops.
Vice Adm Phongsak said he was surprised by the shooting because the relationship between Thai and Cambodian troops there was "very good". They eat together every day, he said.
Although Vice Adm Phongsak said he believed the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding, he had sent a protest letter to the Cambodian 3rd Military Region chief and would meet him in Thailand today to clarify the issue. Both sides will also discuss how to prevent such an incident from occurring again.
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Marine Corps' special task force in Trat has closed off all the trails used by Cambodians as unofficial border passes into Thailand in a protest gesture against the shooting down of the helicopter.
The task force announced all unofficial border passes along the 150km Thai-Cambodian border in Trat are closed, although the five official border trade points in the province remained open.
Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said he had instructed the supreme commander to file a formal complaint about the incident.
The ministry would forward the petition to the Foreign Ministry so that it could consider issuing a protest.
Navy chief Surasak Sunroengrom said both sides have been in talks over how to resolve the matter.
Adm Surasak said it was too soon to say whether the shooting was an act of carelessness or an intentional attack.
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he needed more time to further investigate the incident and decide what to do next.
Published: 17/12/2011 at
Writer: Wassana Nanuam and Jakkrit Waewkraihong
Bangkok Post
Thai and Cambodian unit commanders are scheduled to meet today to discuss the shooting down of an unarmed Thai helicopter in the border province of Trat.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon. The Thai chopper - a Bell 212 - was on a regular flight to deliver provisions to troops stationed in the border areas when it was fired at by Cambodian soldiers.
The bullets hit the helicopter's main rotor blades and the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing. There were no injuries.
Vice Adm Phongsak Phureeroj, commander of the Royal Thai Marine Corps' border defence forces in Trat and Chanthaburi, insisted the craft was inside Thai territory when it was shot at. [Cambodian soldiers claimed they shot at the helicopter when the helicopter attempted to land inside Cambodian territory and ignored a warning not to do so].
The chopper was making a food delivery to marines in Trat province stationed only 50 metres from Cambodian troops.
Vice Adm Phongsak said he was surprised by the shooting because the relationship between Thai and Cambodian troops there was "very good". They eat together every day, he said.
Although Vice Adm Phongsak said he believed the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding, he had sent a protest letter to the Cambodian 3rd Military Region chief and would meet him in Thailand today to clarify the issue. Both sides will also discuss how to prevent such an incident from occurring again.
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Marine Corps' special task force in Trat has closed off all the trails used by Cambodians as unofficial border passes into Thailand in a protest gesture against the shooting down of the helicopter.
The task force announced all unofficial border passes along the 150km Thai-Cambodian border in Trat are closed, although the five official border trade points in the province remained open.
Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said he had instructed the supreme commander to file a formal complaint about the incident.
The ministry would forward the petition to the Foreign Ministry so that it could consider issuing a protest.
Navy chief Surasak Sunroengrom said both sides have been in talks over how to resolve the matter.
Adm Surasak said it was too soon to say whether the shooting was an act of carelessness or an intentional attack.
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he needed more time to further investigate the incident and decide what to do next.
1 comment:
More shoot needed to be fired at ah thai chopper if they cross over inside khmer territory. Long live khmer people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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