Thailand, Cambodia exchange deadly cross-border fireーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
Thailand’s military says Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire on Thursday near a temple in the contested border area. The Thai government says 11 people were killed on the Thai side and 28 injured. No, no, no. The fighting started on Thursday morning and was said to be continuing in several locations along the border. Both sides blame the other for firing first. The Thai army said it deployed F-16 fighter jets that attacked Cambodian military targets. The Cambodian government said its forces returned fire in self-defense, but has so far not provided any details of casualties or damage. The Thai military says six people were killed and 10 injured when Cambodian shelling hit a gas station next to a convenience store in Cisagate Province. In May, the two count’s forces exchanged fire in the area, leaving one Cambodian soldier dead. Earlier this month, several Thai soldiers were injured by landmines near the border that Thailand claims Cambodia had recently laid. Ponumpen called the allegations baseless and unfounded. The incident prompted the Thai government to recall its ambassador from Ponumpen on Wednesday and expel the Cambodian ambassador. Cambodia responded early Thursday by downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand and recalling its diplomats from Bangkok. For more on this story, we’re joined now by our reporter Napat Kungawat. Napat, what’s behind this latest escalation? Tensions had been simmering since May 28th when there was an exchange of fire along the border. Since then, both sides have taken measures to restrict the crossber movement of people and goods. There had not been major clashes for weeks, but an incident on July 16th marked a turning point. Three Tai soldiers were injured by landmines along the border, and on Wednesday, five more were injured by landmines. One of them lost a leg. That raised concerns of renewed clashes. Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of territorial disputes. In 2008, armed conflict erupted after the Privier Temple along the border was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fighting continued sporadically until 2011. Many soldiers and civilians since were killed. How has the Thai government been handling the situation? The two sides met in June, aiming to resolve their difference through dialogue, but without success. The situation has been complicated by a leaked phone call between Thai Prime Minister Padan Chinuanatan and Cambodia’s Senate President Hunen over the border dispute. During the conversation, Padongan appeared to criticize a senior Thai military commander and appease Cambodia that led to her being suspended as prime minister. Padan’s comments stirred public criticism of the government stance towards Cambodia as weak and unpatriotic. So now the government feels it has to take a tougher line against pen. Following Thursday’s clashes, the Thai government is urging Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents including m land landmine ling. It also says it will step up self-defense me measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attacks. Thank you, Nepad. Joining us now from Vietnam is NHK’s Hanoi bureau chief Suzuki Kota who’s covering the Cambodian side of this story. Kota, what’s the government in Panumpen saying about this incident? Two, yes, Cambodia has denied launching preemptive attacks in siking or raining any newbines. Cambodian Prime Minister Human said on social media that Cambodia’s stance has always been to resolve problems peacefully, but he added this time it had no choice but to respond militarily to what he called armed aggression. He also called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The government want a swift reservation before the situation worsens because it know Thailand has super paramilitary strengths. The government has called on its citizens to stay calm and there has been no major disruption to daily life so far. But there’s growing concern about the impact on ordinary people and the economy that include disruption to imports from Thailand due to border closures and other restrictions. Thank you Kota. And that wraps up our bulletin. I’m Rosen Dvalia in Bangkok.
July 24 NEWSROOM TOKYO Bangkok Live Lineup:
00:00 Thailand, Cambodia exchange deadly cross-border fire
01:31 Commentary from Bangkok
03:26 Report from Hanoi on Cambodia’s reaction
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