Thailand, Cambodia investigate allegations that Cambodian troops fired on Bangkok Airways jet

By Associated Press, 

Updated: Friday, July 13, 2012

BANGKOK — Authorities in Thailand and Cambodia are investigating reports that Cambodian troops fired on a Bangkok Airways passenger jet after mistaking it for a spy plane.

A senior Thai army officer says Cambodians opened fire as the plane circled the border region in bad weather this week. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. [Cambodian troops said it was a Thai spy plane, not Bangkok Airways].

There were no reports of damage.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Surapong Tovijakchaikul denies the reports.

Cambodian Col. Seng Phearin said Friday that forces fired 18 gunshots into the air, but the aircraft was military and not civilian.

Bangkok Airways says it received no reports of an aircraft coming under fire.

Thailand and Cambodia have often had tense relations over a disputed border region, with the situation sometimes turning violent.