15 Thai soldiers wounded in latest Thai-Cambodian border clashes

via CAAI

SI SA KET, Feb 7 -- Fifteen Thai soldiers, two villagers wounded in the latest Thai-Cambodian border clashes which flared Sunday evening, one seriously--transferred to Ubon Ratchathani Hospital, according to the director of Kantharalak hospital, as residents at five Kantharalak district villages were evacuated to less risky areas.

Kantharalak District Hospital Director Wanchai Laosathienkij said since the border clashes began Sunday until 9am this morning there were 17 wounded from the fighting,15 soldiers and two civilians

Most suffered minor injuries but one soldier was critically wounded and was transfered to a military hospital at Sappasitprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani.

The latest cross border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops at Kantharalak district near Preah Vihear Temple began Sunday afternoon and stopped at about 2am Monday even though both sides had agreed to a cease fire on Saturday.

Thai army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Sunday's skirmish was "more serious" than the previous two days of violence. He said about ten soldiers were injured, but that there were no reports of new deaths.

Villagers in Lalai, Bueng Malu, Rung, Phu Pha Mok and Sao Thong Chai districts were removed from at risk areas while district officials had prepared additional 60 makeshift tents to facilitate their temporary housing.

Meanwhile, international news agencies reported that Cambodia accused Thailand of damaging the 11th century Preah Vihear temple in fresh clashes on Sunday and appealed to the United Nations to halt Thailand's 'aggression' on the third day of cross-border fighting.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly sent a letter to the UN Security Council calling for an emergency meeting to help end the fighting.

French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted Mr Hun Sen's letter as saying that he urged the United Nations Security Council to hold an urgent meeting "so as to stop Thailand's aggression", which the Khmer leader said has "gravely threatened peace and stability in the region."

But Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn rejected the accusation that Thailand was the aggressor. He said Thailand has a clear policy that it will not invade any country.

Clashes erupted on the border at Phu Ma Khua at Kantharalak for the third day in a row on Sunday evening, ending a ceasefire agreed after earlier fighting left at least five people dead. (MCOT online news)