Friday, 17 October 2008

Thailand protests intrusion into Thai territory and shooting of Thai soldiers by Cambodian soldiers

ISRIA

Regarding the clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on Thai territory on 15 October 2008, the Royal Thai Government lodged another protest with the Royal Government of Cambodia through an additional Aide-Memoire on 16 October 2008, the gist of which can be summarized as follow:

Regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand's Aide-Memoire of 15 October 2008, protesting against the shootings carried out by Cambodian soldiers on Thai soldiers who were peacefully patrolling along the Thai - Cambodian border within the Thai territory near Phu Ma Khua on 15 October 2008, a related incident took place in the vicinity of Pha Mor I Daeng between 14:25 - 15:00 hours on 15 October 2008, in which Cambodian soldiers intruded into Thai territory and opened fire, using recoilless guns, RPG, mortars, and rifles, on Thai soldiers who were positioned in the said area.

Exercising their inherent right to self-defence as provided for by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, the Thai soldiers returned fire. This hostile action by the Cambodian soldiers resulted in further injury, bringing the total number of Thai casualties to seven persons.

With reference to Cambodia's accusation that Thai troops launched heavy armed attacks upon Cambodian troops stationed in three different locations in the area of Phra Viharn Temple, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand wishes to state that between 14.25 - 15.00 hours on 15 October 2008, there were two shooting incidents between Cambodian soldiers and Thai soldiers at only two locations. The first incident occurred at the coordinate of VA 644933 in the north of Khan Ma Pass, 900 meters from the Thai - Cambodian boundary line. The other incident took place at the coordinate of VA 655917, 400 meters from the boundary line. Both shooting incidents therefore did not happen at the locations indicated by Cambodia.

The Royal Thai Government strongly protests against these acts of aggression committed in Thailand's territory by Cambodian soldiers, in blatant violation of international law; and to condemn such constant intrusion and violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Royal Thai Government reaffirms its strong commitment to cooperate with the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia within the existing bilateral framework of the Thai - Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) to peacefully resolve the current border disputes. The Royal Thai Government also demands that the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia withdraw its troops from Thailand's territory and ensure that the similar incident will not recur again in the future

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