Cambodia sent protest letter against Thailand to UNSC

THAI-CAMBODIA BORDER DISPUTE
The Nation

Cambodia sent protest letter against Thailand to UNSC

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has sent letters on Friday to the United Nations Security Council and Indonesia, the current chair of Asean to draw attention of the international and regional community to the latest clash between Thai and Cambodian troops.

Cambodia on Friday claimed Thai troops have trespassed and staged an attack on the base of Cambodian troops along the border from Ta Krabek temple to Chhub Koky in Oddar Meanchey province at about 6am.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported that the Thai troops entered deeply into Cambodian territory.

"During the attack, Thai troops have used heavy weapons, including DK-75 mm and DK-82 mm mortars, and 105 mm and 155 mm artilleries to shell into Cambodian territory and deeply entered Cambodian territory up to 21 kilometers from border line, which are the areas with Cambodian villagers," said the Cambodia's defense ministry statement.

The Thai side insisted that Cambodian troops trespessed into the Thai soil and opened fires first.

Meanwhile Cambodian defense ministry's spokesman Lt Gen Chhum Socheat said in a morning briefing that since early this morning up to now the fighting still continues after Thai side took a short pause at around lunch time.

He did not give the official number of casualties at the briefing. However, Neak Vong, the deputy commander of brigade 42 at Ta Mon Thom temple, told Xinhua by telephone that the interim figure recorded that three Cambodian troops were killed and one was injured.

Phay Siphan, the spokesman for the council of ministers, said that Cambodia will inform international community about the attack by Thai troops on Cambodian territory, simultaneously, Cambodian troops will stay firm to defend the territory against Thai invasion.

"Thousands of Cambodian villagers have been evacuated for safe shelters following the clashes and our ancient temples now are in damage," he added. "Thai attack is an unacceptable act."

So far, there is no meeting between the two sides over this latest clashes, he added.