Sunday, February 6, 2011

Govt probes claim 64 killed

06 Feb, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

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 battallions, 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."

Comments:

  • kool

    CambodiaPost : 1

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    Discussion 6 : 06/02/2011 at 12:49 PM6

    Such Ashame for you Thailand....
    Cambodian soldier died 64....? Heavy casualty..? Unconfirmed report huh..?
    If I am not confused these last couple fights, 5 Thai soldiers had been captured which 4 came first and one later.... What do you think about this...?

  • Discussion 5 : 06/02/2011 at 11:08 AM5

    Cambodia is no match to Thai. The approx ratio is 30:1. This should teach the Cambodian a lesson not to mess with Thai temple. Want more fight?

  • Discussion 4 : 06/02/2011 at 09:59 AM4

    Yes, right. I don't know why Thai always called in to stop fighting. Also, Cambodian soldiers just released your captured soldiers. Please stop acting you are being so superior more than Cambodia. You are just a barking dogs. My brother who was fighting at Preah Vihear did count the dead body of thai 32 dead.

  • Discussion 3 : 06/02/2011 at 09:01 AM3

    If its true, why all location still control by Cambodian troops? especially Keo Kiri Sawara pagoda the place that claim by Thai.

  • Discussion 2 : 06/02/2011 at 08:56 AM2

    Thai never gives true information to its people. Who call for truce talks? Cambodia or Thai?

  • tai1

    United StatesPost : 46

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    Discussion 1 : 06/02/2011 at 05:44 AM1

    "If it's true, I would like to pay my condolences to them." who is he try to get into now? Wow, I don't know who to believe. It look like Thai very upset of the out come in this clashes. All video evidents come from Thai soil. If Cambodian soldier casualties that high, they must do a good job cover it up cause Khmer always buried their dead in Buddhist way which it is hard to do in a quiet way.


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