Monday, 25 January 2010

Misunderstanding causes Thai and Cambodian clash near Preah Vihear temple early Sunday



via CAAI News Media

SI SA KET, Jan 24 (TNA) – After negotiations later in the day, Thai and Cambodian army officers said that fighting between military patrols of the two countries early Sunday in an area claimed by both neighbours was caused by misunderstanding and they agreed to jointly find a solution to ease the tension.

Two Thai army soldiers were wounded in the clash.

Col Thanet Wongcha-um, chief of staff of the commander for the Suranaree Task Force and Col Thawatchai Changprachak, commander of a special unit from Thailand’s Ranger Forces Regiment 23 met Maj-Gen Srey Doek, commander of Cambodia’s 3rd Reinforcement Division Sunday at an operation base in Kantharalak district following the clash.

The one-hour meeting agreed the clash was caused by misunderstanding and that soldiers of both sides would initially withdraw from areas near the clash site and return to their bases before officials of the two countries will meet again Monday to discuss patrols in overlapping areas.

Meanwhile, provincial authorities in Si Sa Ket ordered villages along the border to conduct an evacuation drill in preparation for a possible new clash.

Lt-Col Nut Sri-in, commander of Suranaree Task Force Unit 163, earlier on Sunday said the fighting took place while a group of Thai Army Rangers were patrolling and confronted Cambodian soldiers who were felling trees in Kantharalak district bordering Cambodia.

As the Rangers shouted at the Cambodian soldiers asking their purpose in crossing over to the area, the Cambodian soldiers fired M79 grenades and automatic rifles at them, Col Nut said.

The troops exchanged gunfire for over 20 minutes before the Cambodian soldiers withdrew into Cambodia. (TNA)

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