Cambodian-Thai border started gunfire

The Kingdom of Cambodia. It's seem nobody care much about this tiny country. As a Cambodian, this news is important to me. The border's fight finally started. Mr. Hun Sen, the PM of Cambodia, warned on Monday that if the Thai troop would not pull back by Tuesday noon, the Veal Intry (Eagle Field) on the the Traop Mountain will turn into deadly fighting zone.

Today (Wednesday) we received news through telephone from our friends the fighting has started and the news is confirmed by BBC and Reuters as long as other web-base news.

Thai-Cambodia border 'fire' heard

Both Thailand and Cambodia claim territory that surrounds the temple
Thai and Cambodian troops have exchanged gunfire along a disputed section of their border, say reports.

Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off only metres apart.

But this is the first time the two sides are believed to have actually shot at each other.

Both countries claim they own the area around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which recently became a Unesco World Heritage site.

"Cambodian and Thai troops are opening fire at each other now," Brigadier Bun Thean, a Cambodian army commander, told the French news agency AFP from the scene.

"Our troops prevented Thai troops from entering our territory, but they started to open fire at our troops right away," he added.

Thai TV reporters confirmed they witnessed both sides exchanging gunfire.

Neither Thai nor Cambodian government officials have so far commented on the development.

Both sides agreed in August to reduce troop numbers, but last week Cambodia said that 500 Thai troops had massed in the area.

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It seems both sides are trying to be cautious here and neither side really is pushing to start a war. They are showing the utmost restraint without backing down. It is necessary that both sides maintain diplomatic contact (which they have been doing) to keep the peace and reassure each other that they are not about to attack.

Militarily, Thailand has a huge advantage, in terms of equipment, and training. However, Thailand is not politically in a situation to fight a war, with violent street protests and strikes rocking the country. The government is in crisis. And the insurgency in the south is steadily growing. A war with Cambodia could stretch the government and the military to breaking point and precipitate a political crisis. On the other hand, some cynical politicians might think that the best way to deal with the protests is to start a war and hope patriotism causes everyone to fall in line.

Great analyse Finn! As a TV report I watched last evening, the Cambodian Foreign Minister told reporters, and I marked some points:

1. He excused the Thai to open fire first.
2. He called this as an accident between both soldiers
3. Casulty report was 2 wounds and 2 death for the Cambodian side, the Thai side is unknown.
4. The Cambodian side is showing its restraint but reserve the right to protect its motherland.
5. The issue can't be submitted to the Asian Council for resolve, because who'll be the chairman? The Thai? They can't be the football player and the referree at the same time.
6. The Thai has violated three principles of the Asian Council (Oh my god, I can't remember that three principles!)
7. An urgent meeting between the two army will be carrying out today (16 Oct) in Thai soil. (I don't understand the Cambodian side agree this, the meeting should be done in a neutral area)

In military, you're right! I can't see the Cambodian side has what more than AK-47 and B-40 (RPG-7). The worst thing is the soldiers are never trained before joining the army. They just arm them with a gun and then go to the battle field. The Thai side is reported to move their heavy weapon near the border, and get their fighter jet ready for war. Oh my god, some years earlier, the government destroy some 200 manpad missiles according to uncle Sam's request. What are they going to use to fight against these birds once they come?

Finn McCool said:

It seems both sides are trying to be cautious here and neither side really is pushing to start a war. They are showing the utmost restraint without backing down. It is necessary that both sides maintain diplomatic contact (which they have been doing) to keep the peace and reassure each other that they are not about to attack.

Militarily, Thailand has a huge advantage, in terms of equipment, and training. However, Thailand is not politically in a situation to fight a war, with violent street protests and strikes rocking the country. The government is in crisis. And the insurgency in the south is steadily growing. A war with Cambodia could stretch the government and the military to breaking point and precipitate a political crisis. On the other hand, some cynical politicians might think that the best way to deal with the protests is to start a war and hope patriotism causes everyone to fall in line.

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Actually I thought that the ultra-nationalists were against the current government and are using the incidents like a big nationalist stick to further beat up on it. If a political crisis is precipitated, look for the military to launch another coup and "do it right this time" as some generals have suggested.

Nov 9 to Nov 13 were Cambodia's two major holidays, the Independent Day and Water Festival. It's also my birthday. I spent these holidays with my family in Vietnam. I learned two news when I was still there: Taiwan's ex-president, Chen Sui Bian, was arrested and the highest range Cambodian Police chief, Hok Lundy, was killed in a helicopter crash. The news confirmed that there was rain before the halo took off, the pilot told him the weather was not suitable to fly, but he insisted. The halo was the type which looks very similar to the Chinese Z-11. It crashed in a strong wind and his (Hok Lundy) body was almost blown into pieces. Google for the news, even wiki confirms his death. Many people were happy for his death, I don't want to comment.

cambodia & Thai border fighting is the not a real problem to be a war.
it was a factor of former prime minister Thetsinshinawat political divertion or fake.

politician used tricks ...died thai&cambodian soldiers(victim of politicians power strrugle).
I believe that one day....who created a war or killing each other will be get trouble like family members who died in their playground.

It seems the conflict continiues with clashes once in a while. Gunfire was exchanged at the disputed border.

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Clashes on Thai-Cambodian border

Troops from Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged heavy gunfire twice during the day in a disputed border area.

The Thai army said at least one of its soldiers was killed and seven others wounded by Cambodian rocket fire.

The second more serious outbreak of firing near the ancient temple of Preah Vihear happened in the afternoon, despite both sides meeting for talks.

Each side accused the other of firing first, in what is seen by analysts as a significant heightening in tensions.

The BBC's Guy De Launey in Phnom Penh says the clashes come days before fresh talks between the two sides over the disputed territory.

The Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Committee is expected to hold three days of talks in the Cambodian resort town of Siem Reap, starting on Sunday. ...

This is not good. Let's us hope that this cross border skirmish does not turn into something more volatile. Thailand is not been a stable country the last two or so years. There have been demonstrations by citizens to out the present government.

Wow, thigns are heating up again. I was hoping after so long it would calm down. My Dad and the local community organised a drive to donate money and food to the Cambodian civilians and soldiers at Preah Vihear, so this sort directly effects myself. Everytime I read about these reports though its always Thai soldiers advancing into Cambodia though, hopefully things can be resolved and joint patrols can be re established. Anything out of control happening would be a lose-lose situation for everybody.

I almost forgot that I have a comrade in this forum I was told by my workmate early yesterday morning that the fight erupted once again, and they asked me to check the news on internet.

So far as I know, on Thursday a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine and lost his leg(s). The Cambodian soldiers were on high alert since then. A day before, the Cambodian prime minister warned that if the Thai keeps entering Cambodian territory, they may face fighting. On Friday morning about 7:00am (local time), the Cambodian soldiers went to inspect the site where a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine yesterday. They met the Thai soldier and had a brief gun fight about 5 to 10 minutes. No casualty had been reported so far. In the afternoon the same day, another heavy fight erupted and caused some casualty and wounded. Both sides blamed each other for opening the first fire. However, casualties were claimed differently from different sides and sources.

Here are some sources you can read:





There are also photos of the evacuated Cambodian people who live in the Preah Vihea area.